Do not use children as escorts for beggars - Labour officer

The Kpone-Katamanso District Assembly has observed this year’s World Day against Child Labour, with a call on Ghanaians to stop using children as escorts for beggars.

The World Day against Child Labour is observed annually on June 12 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the actions and efforts needed to eliminate it.

Mr Alexander Awortwi, Tema Metropolitan Labour Officer, who was speaking on the topic: “Protecting the child from child labour, the role of the Labour Department,” said the practice of using children to escort some physically challenged persons and the poor to beg for alms on the streets endangered their lives.

Mr Awortwi added that using children to sell at the expense of their education and health is a form of child labour therefore parents and guardians must endeavour to desist from the practice.

According to him, even though the laws allowed for a minimum amount of child work at home, any work that deprive children of schooling and exposed them to danger must be discouraged.

He also entreated stakeholders to brainstorm to find a lasting solution to all forms of child labour in the district in order to ensure that the children get the needed education to help develop the country in future.

Alhaji Antieye Tetteh, Kpone-Katamanso District Chief Executive (DCE), appealed to parents and guardians, particularly those in the fishing, farming, sand and gravel winning industries in the district, to consider the benefits of educating their children before allowing them to work at these hazardous places.

Alhaji Tetteh indicated that “our children are the key source from, which talents could be unearthed to champion the cause of sustainable development”.

He said the talents could only be unearthed through uninterrupted education, adding that Ghana would certainly derail the course of its future development if parents and guardians fail to respond positively to the campaign to enroll all children in schools and show commitment towards their progress.

“As parents and guardians, we are obliged to guide our children to realise their potential to become the responsible adults of tomorrow. This responsibility is not negotiable,” he stated.

The DCE said parents and guardians must therefore join in the campaign against worst forms of child labour and ensure that children go through the normal developmental process of childhood and lay the foundation for safer adulthood in dignity.

Madam Georgina Asare, Kpone-Katamanso District Social Welfare and Community Development Officer, and other speakers also reiterated the need for the curbing of child labour in the district and the country.

Prior to the commemoration durbar, some school children and youth groups in the district went on a walk through the principal streets of Zenu to sensitise people on child labour.

Some of the placards they held read: “Parents, be interested in the education of your children,” “Education is a right not a privilege,” “Education is the key to life,” and “Denying me education, means denying me a brighter future.”