Ordeal of children engaged in child labour in Brong-Ahafo   

The psychological effects of child labour on victims are enormous and sometimes is extremely painful to look at scars at the back, thigh, forehead and stomach of some of the victims of exploitation.

The United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide that governments have the duty to protect children against the violation of their rights and freedoms.

But, child labour remains a “silent nightmare” among victims as indeed, innocent children go through worst forms of torture and molestations.

Undeniably, opposing victims of child labour and exploitation go through worst forms of abuses, including; denial of formal education, food and shelter.

According to findings from the Ghana Living Standards Survey round six (GLSS -6), Brong-Ahafo Region recorded the highest rate of child labour.

The survey conducted in 2014, showed the region recorded 302,972 children engaged in hazardous work.

It also re4vealed that Children, 33.5 per cent from the ages of five to 17 years, including girls in the region were engaged in exploitative labour in areas such as; agriculture, fishing, mining and forced marriages.

Studies also showed that many children were trafficked into the region to work for their masters particularly in the areas of fishing and mining.

Mostly, with support of their parents, architects of child labour lure unsuspecting victims, below 15 years, for commercial fishing at Pru District, illegal mining activities at Asutifi South District, and forced marriage at Banda District of the region.

In the Banda district, a Muslim dominated area in the region, investigations revealed that girls from the ages 10 to 15 years were mostly lured into polygamous marriages.

Source: GNA