Two NGOs team up against child-labour

Two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the Brong-Ahafo Region have teamed up to tackle child labour especially those found in illegal mining in the Asutifi North and South Districts.

The NGOs, Free the Slaves (FTS), and the Mission of Hope International Foundation (MIHOSO) are therefore working to control and prevent child labour in mining communities in the two Districts in particular.

A Press statement signed by Mr. Israel Zaghe, Public Relations Officer of FTS and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, said research by the two NGOs called for intervention of the national security to save the future of the youth in the two Districts.

The statement cited Hwidiem, Acherensua, Worommuso, Nkasiem, Oseikrom, Ahiatua, Mehami, Krapo and Nkrankrom, all in the Asutifi South District where child labour, especially through illegal mining operations or “Galamsey” were going on with impunity.

“The problem is not different at Obengkrom, Nfahun-faka, Donkorkrom, Kenyase Numbers One and Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu and Wamahinso in the Asutifi North District,” it added.

The statement said “the MIHOSO Team has structured 10 learning groups, not only to assimilate best practices in children’s issues, but both as a fulcrum of activity while playing a peer group watch dog role in their respective native communities.”

It observed that because of the widespread ignorance among the populace about the consequences of illegal mining and child labour on the society, the twin menace continued to prevail in mining areas.

The statement said the situation was thwarting efforts by the Ghana Police Service, Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Education Service, and the National Commission for Civic Education among other stakeholders to combat child labour in the country.

It therefore urged Ghanaians to join in the fight against illegal mining and child labour in general to “bring about the much needed change where the country’s future is under subtle but apparent threat”.