Government is strengthening legal framework to curb child labour – Employment Minister

Two million children in Ghana are currently trapped in child labour, a figure experts warn could rise unless urgent measures are taken.

Globally, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 160 million children are involved in child labour—over 60 million girls and 70 million boys. Nearly half of these children are in hazardous work conditions, with 70% living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Locally, figures from the Ghana Statistical Service show that 21.8% of children aged 5 to 17 are in child labour, and about 4% are involved in hazardous work. Despite government efforts over the past two decades, the situation remains critical.

The Minister for Labour, Employment, and Jobs, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, said government is committed to resolving this matter.

“Government is intensifying efforts across multiple fronts. This include strengthening the legal framework such as the Labour Act, Children’s Act, increased inspection in high-risk sectors and implementation of strict actions, penalties for perpetrators of child labour,” the Minister said at a ceremony to commemorate this year’s child labour day on May 29.

As Ghana prepares for the upcoming International Labour Organization Conference next week in Geneva, the government is reaffirming its commitment to end child labour once and for all.

“In recent years, government has made remarkable strides in the elimination of child labour driven by a steadfast commitment to justice and human dignity through legislative reforms, policies and strategic partnerships. We have made a significant headway bringing the situation under control, various interventions have been implemented to eradicate the canker,” Dr Pelpuo assured.

He further noted that, ” government’s commitment to deal with child labour remains resolute, this is because government under the leadership of his excellency John Dramani Mahama aligns with the global target of eliminating child labour by 2030.”

Organised labour is also stepping up effort to ensure that child labour is eradicated. The General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Andy Tagoe is pledging its full support in this fight.

“We want to ensure that child labour is away. We say this because we have worked with employers that wherever there is a Union, all Agricultural establishments in Ghana, oil palm, fisheries, cocoa, all of them, we have collective agreements and articles that children cannot work in those,” Mr Tagoe said.

Stakeholders are also proposing a dedicated Child Labour Fund to help mobilize consistent financing for long-term interventions.

As the fight against child labour intensifies, all eyes are now on how government and partners will translate renewed promises into action—and protect the rights and futures of millions of children.

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