By Caleb Kuleke
Mepe (V/R), Sept. 11, GNA – The North Tongu District Assembly is actively prosecuting perpetrators of child exploitation to serve as a deterrent and stamp out the practice in the district.
Mr Albert Henyo, District Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
He noted that because fishing was the predominant occupation in the area, many parents had historically engaged their children in hazardous fishing activities, making the district a hotspot for child exploitation.
However, Mr Henyo said strategic interventions by the Assembly, alongside key partners such as the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Education Service and International Needs Ghana, had drastically reduced the menace to its barest minimum.
The Social Welfare Director said that through targeted sweeping exercises, the Assembly had identified, rescued and rehabilitated numerous children who had been forced into hazardous labour.
The rescued children were provided with psychosocial support, medical treatment and shelter, Mr Henyo said.
He added that legal action was currently being taken against the perpetrators to send a strong signal to others.
Mr Henyo said the Assembly had also carried out extensive community sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on the severe dangers child exploitation posed to the future of both the children and the nation.
While emphasising the Assembly’s continued commitment to child protection, Mr Henyo called for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to sustain the gains made.
He noted that child protection committees had been formed and trained across various communities to identify and refer cases of exploitation to the Assembly and relevant authorities.
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu