Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), a civil society organisation based in Sunyani has adopted a new advocacy approach to deeply involve school children in the fight against child labour especially in the cocoa growing, fishing and mining communities. The initiative which began with the formation of School-Based Child Labour Clubs, aimed at empowering children in the various schools to understand their rights, raise their voices and advocate against child labour.
Child labour in Ghana is prevalent in key sectors such as agriculture, fishing and mining, where children are often subjected to hazardous working conditions. Over 2.5 million child labourers are found in Ghana representing 28% of all children aged 5-17, according to International Labour Organisation’s report sourced from Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
At a special event to launch the first school-based child labour club at Nkrankwanta SDA Basic School in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region, Global Media Foundation through its “Rights for Cocoa Project” funded by Unifor Canada, underscored the need to end child labour in Ghana in order to ensure children are free from exploitation.
The organisation engaged the pupils in interactive sessions on child rights, the importance of education and how they could become agents of change in their schools and local communities. Guided by their teacher mentors, the children also elected their own executives - young leaders who will champion efforts to keep children in school and away from hazardous farm work.
Hairiya Bala, Projects Coordinator for GLOMEF and lead facilitator of the Rights for Cocoa Project said her organisation is establishing five School-based Child Labour Clubs across their project beneficiary schools namely: Nkrankrom MA Basic, Manfo SDA Basic, Mabang Presby Basic, Nkrankwanta SDA Basic and Mantukwa Basic Schools. She said the clubs will serve as safe spaces for children to learn, lead and inspire others to take action against child labour.
Raphael Godlove Ahenu, Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF bemoans that child labour continues to pose a major challenge in Ghana’s cocoa sector. He maintained that various studies have revealed thousands of children are engaged in hazardous work such as carrying heavy loads, using sharp tools and handling agrochemicals - activities that hinder their education and development.
“Many of these children drop out of school, exposing them to long-term health, emotional and social risks”.
The CEO emphasized the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation in the cocoa growing communities.
“The fight against child labour must start with knowledge; and by raising awareness from the classroom level, we ensure that young people understand their rights, the value of education and their role in shaping a better and fairer future.”
Mr. Ahenu said GLOMEF and its partners plan to replicate the project across other cocoa-growing districts, ensuring that every child can learn, grow, dream, and be free from the burdens of child labour.
At the Nkrankwanta SDA School, the newly elected club leaders pledged to work hand in hand with teachers and parents to raise awareness about the dangers of child labour and to promote the importance of education for every child.
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