Programme to eliminate child labour to cover more districts

The National Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour in Cocoa (NPECLC) is to be expanded to cover 21 additional cocoa districts, this year.

The programme, which comes under the Employment and Social Welfare Ministry, is currently operating in 48 districts.

It has also targeted 11,600 children for support by way of the supply of school uniforms, foot wear, school bags and exercise books.

Mr Antwi Bosiako-Sekyere, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, said this at a day’s forum organized by NPECLC to validate “facilitator’s manual on best practices and mediation” in Kumasi on Wednesday.

It was attended by 65 participants including social welfare officers, coordinating directors and representatives of civil society organizations.

Mr Boasiako-Sekyere said they would intensify the implementation of community-based child labour monitoring system to improve data collection on children involved in worst forms of child labour.

This, he said, would help ensure that such children fully benefit from the NPECLC interventions.

The Deputy Minister said the reviewed facilitator’s manual would enhance coordination of the various initiatives to end child labour in cocoa growing areas.

He urged the stakeholders to use it to guide their activities to promote the welfare of children in these communities.

Mr Vincent Frimpong Manu, Programme Mediation Officer of NPECLC said since 2006 they have undertaken series of educational programmes to sensitize people on the need to stop child labour.

Source: GNA