The Ayensuano District Assembly, through the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, in collaboration with Tony’s Open Chain, Asentenapa Cocoa Cooperative Union, the Ghana Education Service, the District Child Protection Committee (DCPC), and other stakeholders, commemorated the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour on Thursday, 11th June 2026, at the D/A School Park, Sowatey. The event formed part of efforts aimed at intensifying public education and raising awareness about the harmful effects of child labour and the need to protect the rights and welfare of children within the district. This year’s celebration was held under the global theme: “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”
The objectives of the programme is to:
- Raise awareness on the dangers and consequences of child labour.
- Educate parents, guardians and community members on child protection laws.
- Promote children’s rights to education, protection and development.
- Encourage community participation in the fight against child labour.
- Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in addressing child labour and truancy within the district.
Speaking at the event, the District Chief Executive, Hon. Joshua F. Y. Lartey, delivered the keynote address and emphasized the need for collective efforts in eliminating child labour within the district. In his address, he disclosed that Ayensuano District has an estimated population of about 95,000 people, out of which approximately 45,000 are children. He further indicated that about 11,000 children are either engaged in child labour or are at risk of child labour and truancy. He noted that the situation remains a major concern to the Assembly and all stakeholders and therefore requires urgent and sustained interventions.
He also highlighted several interventions undertaken by the Assembly and its partners to combat child labour within the district and these include:
- Intensification of community engagement and sensitization programmes.
- Conduct of over 300 community engagements across the district, with 60 engagements organized in 2026 alone.
- Household visits by social welfare officers and child protection stakeholders.
- Market and community swoops to identify children engaged in child labour and truancy.
- Profiling and enrolment of vulnerable children and families into case management systems.
- Counselling and family support services.
- Economic empowerment initiatives for vulnerable parents and caregivers.
- Enforcement of child protection laws through legal actions against recalcitrant parents and guardians.
According to him, over 500 children and their parents or guardians have been apprehended and profiled through various swoops and interventions, while over 50 parents and caregivers have been referred to court for violating child protection laws. He reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that every child in the district has access to quality education, healthcare, protection and equal opportunities for growth and development. The DCE further called on traditional leaders, parents, teachers, religious bodies, development partners and community members to continue supporting efforts aimed at eradicating child labour in the district.
Mr. Francis Adjartey, Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, also highlighted the critical role of families, communities, and institutions in protecting children from all forms of exploitation, abuse, and child labour. In his address, he emphasized that child labour remains one of the major challenges affecting the welfare, education, and future development of children within the district. He noted that many children engaged in child labour are deprived of their right to education, exposed to hazardous working conditions, and denied the opportunity to realize their full potential. He further explained that child labour not only affects the physical and psychological well-being of children but also undermines national efforts toward sustainable development and poverty reduction. He therefore urged parents and guardians to prioritize the education, health, and protection of their children rather than involving them in economic activities that interfere with their schooling and overall development. He further outlined the mandate of the Department in promoting child welfare and protection through community sensitization, child protection interventions, case management services, family counselling, and collaboration with key stakeholders. He noted that the Department continues to work closely with the District Assembly, the Ghana Education Service, security agencies, traditional authorities, and development partners to identify vulnerable children, address cases of child labour and neglect, and provide support to affected families. Touching on the theme, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” he called on all stakeholders to join the campaign against child labour by reporting suspected cases, supporting vulnerable households, and creating an enabling environment in which every child can enjoy their right to education, protection, and development. He concluded by appealing to community members, parents, teachers, religious leaders, and traditional authorities to remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the rights of children and ensuring that no child is deprived of a bright future as a result of child labour.
Other stakeholders also took turns to address the gathering and expressed their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at eliminating child labour within the district. Representatives from the Ghana Education Service, the District Child Protection Committee (DCPC), traditional authorities, development partners, religious leaders, and community leaders commended the Assembly and its partners for organizing the programme and sustaining public education on child protection issues. The speakers emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding the rights and welfare of children. They called on parents and guardians to prioritize the education and well-being of their children, while urging community members to report cases of child labour, child abuse, neglect, and truancy to the appropriate authorities. The stakeholders further pledged their continued support towards child protection interventions and reiterated the need for stronger collaboration among institutions, families, and communities to create a safe and conducive environment for the growth and development of every child. The goodwill messages reinforced the key theme of the celebration, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” and highlighted the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring that children are protected from exploitation and afforded equal opportunities to realize their full potential.