Chief refutes NGOs report

Nyinahin (Ash), May 18, GNA - A traditional ruler has called on child right non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to draw a clear line of distinction between what constituted child labour and child training. Nana Amanpene Twum-Boateng, chief of Nyinahin in the Atwima Mponua District of Ashanti made the call when he debunked recent media reports attributed to West African Cocoa Commercial Agricultural Programme (WACAP), which indicated that children between the ages of 8 and 18 were engaged in child labour in 17 communities in his area.

The chief, who expressed utter amazement at the report described it as false and alarming adding: "If a farmer sends his children or child to the farm on vacations or at week-ends could that also be called child labour?"

He entreated the NGOs to exercise caution in their attempt to protect children's rights so as not to superimpose alien cultures on the rich Ghanaian one, which has always sought to pass on societal values such as hard work to generations to safeguard their future. Nana Twum Boateng also admonished them to desist from the practice of presenting outrageous reports to attract huge donor funds since such attitudes affected the image of communities concerned and the country at large.

He also exhorted farmers not to be enticed by money to give false information to civil society officials in order to protect the country's image on the international scene.