Winneba (C/R) March 6, GNA - Challenging Heights, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Winneba in the fight against exploitation of children, has inaugurated a boat on the Volta Lake to offer protection for women and children on the water body. The boat costing 13,900 dollars is based at Yeji. It has the capacity to carry 25 passengers and is fitted with two outboard motors and 23 live jackets.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency in Winneba the Executive Director of the NGO, Mr James Annan said the main aim of acquiring the boat was to protect women and children on the Volta Lake.

It would also supplement the effort of government in preventing boat disaster on the lake by checking overloading. He said the NGO would use the boat for the rescue of children engaged in fishing activities along the Volta Lake and monitor those whose labour are being exploited.

Mr Annan said during the inaugural expedition of the boat, six children were rescued from villages at Ada and Afenyo Acura on the Yeji side of the lake.

According to him Challenging Heights rescued 47 children from various forms of exploitative labour on the Volta Lake in 2009 and expected to rescue 78 more children this year. Mr Annan said the boat would be used to educate fishermen along the lake against the use of children in fishing to the disadvantage of their education and health. He said child trafficking and exploitation of child labour constitute an offence.