The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, Charles Kofi Ogbeh, has called on all stakeholders to collaborate in the fight against child labour and forced labour in the district.
He said traditional authorities, assembly members, unit committee members and other stakeholders had critical roles to play in efforts to eliminate the practice, particularly in cocoa-growing and mining communities.
Mr Ogbeh made the call at the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour celebration organised by the Adansi North District Assembly through the Department of Social Welfare at Akrokerri.
The event was held on the theme: “Red Card to Child Labour, Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”
Crackdown
Mr Ogbeh disclosed that the assembly, in collaboration with security agencies, would soon begin operations to enforce by-laws aimed at protecting children.
He warned that children below 18 years found engaging in illegal mining, commercial motorbike riding (okada) and betting activities would be arrested and prosecuted, while motorbikes used in such activities would be confiscated.
Awareness creation
The Head of Social Welfare and Community Development at the assembly, Midas Nkuah, described child labour as children’s involvement in activities that negatively affected their education, health and development.
He urged residents to report parents who involve their children in such activities for the necessary action to be taken.
Mr Nkuah explained that children could only assist with household chores under parental supervision.
Speaking on behalf of the Queenmother of Akrokerri, Nana Serwah Brewah II, the Gyasehemaa, Nana Ama Yiwah, pledged the support of traditional authorities in the campaign and urged parents to prioritise their children’s education and welfare.
The programme featured a float through the principal streets of Akrokerri to create awareness of the dangers of child labour.
