Winneba(C/R), Nov 28, GNA - The Awutu-Effutu-Senya (AES) District Office of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) with the assistance of some family members, has repatriated seven children from Yeji to reunite with their relatives. The children between the ages of three and 12 years made up of 4 girls and 3 boys who were engaged in child labour have been enrolled in schools at Senya Beraku and Winneba.
Mr. Richmond Mensah, District Director of CHRAJ, speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Winneba on Tuesday, said efforts were being made to repatriate over 20 more children engaged in fishing from Yeji to continue their education.
Some parents from Ekumfi, Winneba and Senya Beraku and other coastal communities in the Central Region give out their children for money to be sent to Yeji to do fishing, he said.
According to Mr. Mensah their parents allowed the children to be sent to Yeji for money ranging between GH=A230 and GH=A240. Mr. Mensah said there were more children engaged in fishing at Yeji living under harsh health conditions who wanted to return to their homes but could not due to lack of money for transportation. The CHRAJ Director said information reaching his office indicated that there was a young man of about 30 years who had spent over 12 year in Yeji with sight and hearing problems whose master had abandoned him. He appealed to NGOs, philanthropists and sympathizers to assist the Commission with funds and vehicles to go to Yeji to repatriate the children to rejoin their relatives.
Mr. Mensah said efforts were being made with the Ghana Private Transport Union (GPRTU) for drivers plying the Winneba to Yeji route to stop sending children to the area.
