The scourge of child labor in Africa remains a major concern, despite various international and local efforts to eradicate it. In West Africa, for example, children are often found in cocoa fields in Ivory Coast, while in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, they are sometimes involved in dangerous mining for precious minerals. These situations deprive children of their childhood, education, and expose them to serious health and development risks. Ghana, like many of its neighbors, is no exception to this grim reality.
According to recent data released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), over 1.1 million children aged 5 to 17 are engaged in some form of work in Ghana. This figure represents more than 10% of children in this age group, with an alarming proportion of them not attending school. Indeed, about 500,000 working children have never been schooled or have dropped out of their studies.
The majority of these children are found in rural areas, where nearly three-quarters of working children are recorded, unlike urban areas which account for just over a quarter. This regional disparity is also observed with the Ashanti region displaying the highest rate of working children, followed by the Bono East and Northern regions.
These children are primarily engaged in family work, agriculture, and various forms of unpaid apprenticeships. Specifically, the service sector employs the vast majority of these children, while the agriculture and industry sectors employ far fewer. Elementary occupations dominate the professional landscape for these children, closely followed by crafts and trade-related jobs.
On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labor, this year under the theme “Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labor,” Ghana is called to intensify its efforts. The need to protect children’s rights and eliminate child labor practices is more pressing than ever.
This report calls on us all to take concrete action to combat this scourge. Every child has the right to an education and a protected childhood, free from the constraints of early work. It is a collective responsibility to ensure that future generations can grow up in an environment that fosters their development and well-being.
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