The Member of Parliament for Kwahu Afram Plains South, Joseph Appiah Boateng, has called for a renewed national commitment to end child labour, warning that the practice continues to rob Ghanaian children of their rights and future.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” the MP said child labour remains a major challenge across the country.
Hon. Appiah Boateng stressed that child labour is not merely a legal problem but a reflection of deeper socioeconomic inequalities.
“Child labour is often passed from one generation to the next,” he told the House. “It continues to deprive many children of their rights and opportunities.”
The MP called on Parliament, relevant state institutions, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, parents, and all citizens to renew their collective commitment to ending child labour in all its forms.
He urged the nation to “build a Ghana where every child is safe, educated, and empowered.”
The MP outlined specific actions for Parliament and state actors, urging them to strengthen oversight of child protection institutions to ensure accountability.
He also called for support toward community sensitization efforts to change attitudes that normalize child labour.
Additionally, he advocated for increased investment in education, social welfare, and rehabilitation services for rescued children, improved data collection to support evidence-based and targeted policy interventions, and the promotion of decent work for adults to reduce household reliance on child income.
Linking the campaign to the theme, the MP said Ghana must give children a fair chance at life. “Red card to child labour means fair play for children and decent work for adults,” he said.
He maintained that tackling poverty, weak social protection, and limited access to quality education are key to breaking the cycle.
