By Samuel Ackon
Assin Nsueam (C/R), Oct. 30, GNA – Curious Minds Ghana (CMG), in partnership with UNICEF Ghana and other development partners, has launched a youth empowerment project in the Assin South District of the Central Region to help address child labour through skills development and civic engagement.
The project, dubbed “Empowering Young People Against Child Labour Through Civic Engagement and Skills Development,” seeks to equip young people with relevant skills and improve their access to learning, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
A key component of the initiative is the Youth Agency Marketplace, a digital platform designed to connect young people to online courses, mentorship opportunities, volunteer programmes, entrepreneurship support and employment opportunities.
The programme targets young people between the ages of 15 and 35 and encourages them to acquire marketable skills, participate in community development activities and take advantage of opportunities that can enhance their livelihoods.
Speaking to the media after the launch, Mr Samuel Quaye, Programmes Manager of Curious Minds Ghana, said empowering young people with relevant skills and opportunities was critical to addressing some of the underlying vulnerabilities associated with child labour.
He explained that the project was being implemented under the Child Labour Multisectoral and Multistakeholder Public-Private Partnership initiative in four districts across the country.
The beneficiary districts are Assin South in the Central Region, Ayensuano in the Eastern region, Asunafo North in the Ahafo region, and Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai in the Western North region.
Mr Quaye said the initiative sought to create sustainable pathways for young people to access education, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, thereby reducing the economic pressures that often contribute to child labour.
Meanwhile, Mr Jonathan Birikorang, District Chief Executive for Assin South, identified economic hardship, limited access to education and skills training, and inadequate livelihood opportunities as some of the major factors contributing to child labour.
He assured stakeholders that the District Assembly was ready to collaborate with Curious Minds Ghana, UNICEF and other partners to intensify efforts aimed at combating child labour in the district.
Mr Birikorang expressed confidence that the programme would empower young people, strengthen community participation and contribute to efforts to eliminate child labour while promoting sustainable development.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Lydi a Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Samuel Ackon