International year for elimination of child labour

NEWS COMMENTARY DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE CHILD LABOUR CIRCLES IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AS ILO DECLARES 2021 AS INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR THE ELIMINATION OF CHILD LABOUR.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), has declared 2021, Year for the elimination of Child Labour. The organisation, however, says it is indeed making progress in its battle against the menace, especially in Cocoa growing areas. This is because in the immediate past decade, child labour has decreased by 38 percent globally. An interesting development to note is that ILO intimates that some 152 million children are still engaged in all kinds of child labour.

Here in Ghana, one does not need to look far to gauge how far the authorities have gone with the fight against child labour. The statistics may show one thing, but there are still children found in the major streets of Accra, engaged in all kinds of services and in some instances, begging. An undercover work by Investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas titled ‘Chained by Begging’ corroborates this assertion as he shows that, the rise in numbers of children begging on the streets is not just a coincidence, but backed by some ‘kingpins’ manipulating the system. We do know that the laws of Ghana do not support child labour, but the practice seems to be going on.

Also, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and section 87 (1-2) of the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) categorise child begging as child abuse. Clearly, for the most part, a lot more work lies on the shoulders of the authorities to lace their boots to work harder at eliminating child labour from Ghana.

Child Labour is considered work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and dignity. It also harms children mentally, physically, socially, and morally. Again, Child Labour according to the ILO, interferes with the Child’s schooling preventing him or her from attending or concentrating on the lessons. It may also involve them being enslaved, separated from their families, and exposed to serious hazards and illnesses. Statistics show that almost half of child labour happens in Africa, representing 72 million children, followed closely by Asia and the Pacific with 62 million children. Seventy percent of children in child labour, work in agriculture, mainly in subsistence and commercial farming and herding livestock.

International Organisations leading the fight against child labour contend that it is time to accelerate the pace of progress. Indeed, it is time to shift from commitments to action, where legislative and practical ways at eliminating child labour for good would take centre stage in decision making. All is not gloomy although as some agencies and organisations have been working hard partnering government and non-governmental organisations in the quest to eliminate child labour from Ghana.

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) for example has over the last 13 years been promoting child protection in cocoa-growing communities, where it has worked to ensure a better future for children and their families. Besides, other projects, ICI has also partnered the Child Labour Unit of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), to mainstream Child and forced labour issues into the ongoing national discourse. Partners describe the collaboration as timely and relevant, given the media’s role in information dissemination. The ILO adopted Torkor Model, which is a community led approach at eliminating Child labour in the fish supply chain on Lake Volta, is one that has placed Ghana on the international map positively in the fight against the menace.

Having done all the work, there are fears that Covid-19 will erode the gains made as UNICEF says the pandemic risks worsening the situation significantly. This means there is the need to redouble efforts at eliminating the canker. In reality, 1 out of 10 children are in child labour, and 1 out of 20 children are in hazardous work. It is welcome news that advocates against Child Labour in Ghana together with development partners are currently working on a document known as the Hazardous Framework, that would streamline and categorise what is, and what is NOT hazardous work, within the context of Child Labour in Ghana. Indeed, it is time for all to take action now, to end Child Labour.

By Rebecca Ekpe, a journalist.