Dwease (Ash), June 14, GNA - Illiteracy among girls in cocoa growing areas is high, a survey conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare has revealed. According to the survey, though 92 per cent of boys and girls in cocoa growing communities attend school, 56 per cent of the girls cannot read and write.

The survey, which formed part of the Ministry's efforts at eliminating child labour in cocoa growing communities, also indicated that 44.5 per cent of children who worked on cocoa farms were girls, while 34.6 per cent of them also worked on other crop farms. Mr Antwi Boasiako Sekyere, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, disclosed this at a durbar to commemorate this year's "World Day against Child Labour", at Dwease near Konongo, in the Asante Akim North Municipality at the weekend. The day, which is set aside by the United Nations to reflect on the effects of child labour, was on the theme: "Give Girls a Chance. End Child Labour."

The Minister said 59.4 per cent of children including girls participate in at least, one hazardous activity in the cocoa production process and called for urgent measures to reverse the trend. "In Asante Akim North specifically, 10 per cent of the children participate in hazardous work in cocoa production."

Mr Sekyere noted that the survey was conducted under the National Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour in Cocoa (NPECLC), which is being implemented by his Ministry to fight child labour. He said 1,300 children in 11 districts had received direct support to pursue educational and vocational training under the programme, adding that 4,300 more children would benefit this year. "Funds are also being disbursed to district assemblies and non-governmental organisations for the implementation of activities in their approved action plans, as part of the national efforts to eliminate child labour."

He charged the district assemblies to mainstream community action plans on child labour, into their medium-term development plans. Madam Aniwa Wilson, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, said the implementation of NPECLC had revealed high school attendance rate, which she noted was contrary to recent media reports on the prevalence of child labour in cocoa growing areas.

She observed that under the NPECLC, District Child Protection Committees (DCPC) had been formed to work in close collaboration with traditional authorities.

The Minister entreated the DCPC to co-ordinate the efforts of district level agencies to make the promotion of quality education and alternative livelihood a priority.