Ghanaian wins US Congress Iqbal Masih Award for elimination of child labour
A Ghanaian, George Achibra has won the 2012 US Congress instituted Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour.
The US Embassy in Accra said Mr Achibra was named winner of the award because he and his non-governmental organization, Partnership for Community Development (PACODEP), have rescued over 450 children from child labour and child trafficking in the fishing industry since 2005.
“They have also done significant work in promoting awareness and advocacy with the aim of eliminating child labour and trafficking in the Volta Region, including educating close to 900 fishermen on human trafficking laws,” the Embassy said in a statement.
Mr Achibra is also the recipient of the 2011 US Embassy Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Peace and Social Justice.
The US Congress established the Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour in 2008 to recognize exceptional efforts by an individual, company, organization or national government to end the worst forms of child labour.
The award reflects the spirit of Iqbal Masih, a Pakistani child sold into bonded labour as a carpet weaver at age 4. He escaped his servitude and became an outspoken advocate of children’s rights, drawing international attention in his fight against child labour. Masih was killed in Pakistan at age 13 in 1995.
By Ekow Quandzie