By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Anloga (V/R), June 19, GNA-The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), in the Anloga District of the Volta Region, has joined the world to celebrate this year’s International Day Against Child Labour under the theme; Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.
As part of activities marking the day, the Directorate called on parents, guardians, and child caregivers to change their attitudes towards children’s rights and dignity in all activities concerning children for the progress and development of children.
Madam Afetorgbor Emmanuella Woelikplim Afetorgbor, the Gender Desk Officer of NCCE, Anloga, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, made a passionate appeal for stronger protection of children and emphasised that any work that denies a child access to education, good health, growth, and development constitutes child labour.
She explained that child labour continues to silently affect children’s mental, physical, emotional, moral, and health development. Involving children in strenuous activities on farms, rivers, at sea, in marketplaces, and assigning them tasks that adults should ordinarily perform for remuneration, while denying them the opportunity to enjoy a safe and healthy childhood, amounts to child labour.
“Children need quality time to play, learn, express their views, and enjoy protection as guaranteed under child rights principles,” she said.
She further stated that the provisions of the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), emphasised that children should only be engaged in light work such as sweeping, cleaning, washing, running simple errands at home, and other age-appropriate household responsibilities that do not interfere with their education, health, or development.
Mr Sylvester Kojo Deku, Social Welfare and Community Development Department Officer, in Anloga District, elaborated on the role of the Department in addressing child protection issues and encouraged community members, parents, and guardians to report cases of child exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
He emphasised that while children may assist with light household responsibilities, such activities should never interfere with schooling, health, rest, or overall wellbeing of the children’s rights.
“The programme is to educate the public on the distinction between acceptable child participation in age-appropriate activities and exploitative child labour practices that expose children to physical, emotional, and psychological harm.”
He encouraged the public to support efforts aimed at eliminating child labour through education, stronger family support systems, and collective community action and report any act the endangered children’s right in the various communities.
The NCCE Anloga Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to continuous civic education and stakeholder collaboration to promote and protect the rights of children and contribute to national development.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade