Ministry to tackle child labour

Accra, June 11, GNA - Mr Stephen Amoanor Kwao, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, on Thursday said the ministry was finalizing a seven-year national plan of action to eliminate all worst forms of child labour in the country by 2015. "This programme, when finalized and adopted, will provide the necessary focus and impetus for eliminating this serious problem from our society in a timely, efficient and sustainable manner." The minister said this on the floor of parliament in a statement to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour, which falls on June 12. The event would be marked under the theme:" Give Girls a Chance: End Child labour."

Mr Amoanor Kwao said Ghana had made strides in dealing with the child labour issue but more needed to be done and urged members and the entire society to join hands to solve the problem. He said the choice of Agbogbloshie in Accra to mark this year's event was informed by the fact that many young girls who should be in school or undergoing vocational training, have found their way into this community and were caught up in various forms of child labour. "These girls are engaged in all kinds of work including porterage of heavy loads, commonly referred to as kayayei, traditional restaurants attendants, domestic servitude and street hawking among others." Members who contributed to the statement called for more action to deal with the issues of child labour to give children a future. 11 June 09