By Kofi Mensah, GNA
Abedwum (Ash), July
23, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Kwame Mensah, the National Co-ordinator of the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Caring Gold Mining Project, has called
on traditional rulers to actively support various initiatives to end child
labour in their communities.
He said the report
that 21.8 per cent of Ghanaian children were engaged in various forms of
hazardous work was troubling and it was time for all, especially community
leaders to support efforts to eradicate it.
Mr Mensah made the
call at a durbar of chiefs, Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs),
opinion leaders and other identifiable groups from Abedwum, Achiase and
Adomanu, at Abedwum in the Adansi North District of Ashanti.
The ILO Caring Gold
Mining Project is an initiative by the international body, to help reduce the
incidence of child labour, while improving working conditions in artisanal and
small scale gold mining businesses.
Mr Giovani Soledad,
the International Project Director, urged communities’ leaders to be stronger
in addressing child labour and other related issues while maintaining their
leadership roles to promote active community level participation in reducing
child abuse issues.
Nana Asirifi Asare
II, Adomanuhene and Krontihene of Edubiase Divisional Council, noted that
chiefs were actively involved in encouraging parents to keep their children
away from work that could affect their health and education.
He appealed to the
ILO to help provide financial support to parents to enable them to cater
adequately for their children.
Nana Yaarfi Appiah
Bosompim, the Gyaasehene of Abedwum also appealed to the ILO to support the
training of community members to equip them with knowledge and skills to
properly care for their children to help reduce the incidence of child labour
and other abuses in the communities.
Mr Anthony Appiah,
the Assembly member for the area, urged the chiefs to help rekindle the
Community Child Protection Committees to promote and protect the welfare of
children in their areas.
GNA