Child labour remains a global challenge, affecting an estimated almost 138M children worldwide. Ghana ranks among the countries with the highest prevalence, with about 21% of its child population engaged in some form of labour.
As the world marks another World Day Against Child Labour under the theme, “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts,” attention turns once again to the alarming situation in Ghana.
Children across the country are drawn into child labour due to multiple factors — including cultural norms, inadequate access to quality education, and weak enforcement of existing child labour laws.
Salomey Delali, Founder and Director of the Cherish A Child Foundation, commended the observance of this global day. She emphasized the importance of involving young people in advocacy, urging that their voices be included at national and international platforms — just like at the United Nations.
“I think the celebration is an important one, where we will bring attention to the most important issues regarding children. Children are really not in the forefront of governance because they are the minority. They are vulnerable in decision making and they are not at the table. As a nation, we have a long way to go with our fight against child labor,” she cried.
Fresh data from the Ghana Statistical Service paints a concerning picture. According to the 2023 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey, over 1.1 million children aged 5 to 17 are engaged in some form of work — representing more than 10% of children in this age group. Nearly 900,000 of them are involved in what is classified as “employment work,” often involving paid labour.
Salomey Delali is calling for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and other relevant agencies to safeguard the rights and futures of Ghana’s children.
“We cannot overemphasize the importance of partnerships and collaborations and want it bring about to solve issues regarding to children. The children are not at the table, are in the middle of the issue. When the various bodies and agencies come together to ensure their education, social protection, enforcement of the laws that protect children,” she added.
The consequences of child labour are far-reaching. They include serious harm to physical and emotional well-being, the denial of quality education — a key target under Sustainable Development Goal 4 — and the entrenchment of generational poverty.
By Andy Oppong Dankyi
