Mr. Charles Kofi Ogbeh, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, has said it is very vital for all stakeholders to join forces and devise efficient measures to combat child labour in the country.
He said it was imperative for all, including traditional leaders, the Assembly, and Unit Committee Members, to support efforts to eradicate child labour and forced labour, especially within cocoa-growing and mining communities.
He said this while addressing participants at the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour commemoration organised by the Adansi North District Assembly through the Department of Social Welfare.
The event, held under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour, Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” took place at Adansi Akrokerri on Friday, June 12, 2026.
The event brought together representatives from government agencies such as the Ghana Education Service, Information Services Department (ISD), Traditional Authorities, Assembly Members, and Unit Committee Members, among others
Mr. Kofi Ogbeh warned that, following a stakeholders’ meeting, the Assembly would soon commence operations with security agencies. He said under assembly bye-laws, children under Eighteen years (18) found engaging in galamsey, okada riding, and betting at game centres would be arrested and prosecuted, and their motorbikes would be confiscated, to reduce child labour in the district.
Mr. Midas Nkuah, Head of Social Welfare and Community Development at the Adansi North District Assembly, who addressed participants at this year’s commemoration in Adansi Akrokerri, described child labour as the participation of children in economic and non-economic activities that affect their education, health, and physical development.
He appealed to residents to provide information on parents who engage their children in the act for necessary action to be taken.
Mr. Nkruah indicated that children could only support their parents with household chores such as sweeping, fetching water, and washing cooking utensils under parental supervision.
The event began with a massive float through the principal streets of Akrokerri to create more awareness among the public.
Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as: “Protect the child, preserve Adansi North”, “Adults, let’s protect the children”, “Books, not tools – let our children learn”, “Mining is for adults, not children”, “Our small hands are meant for pens, not heavy loads”, and “Parents, provide for the needs of the children.”
Nana Ama Yiwah, Gyasehemaa of Akrokerri, who presented the Queenmother of Adansi Akrokerri, Nana Serwah Brewah II, expressed satisfaction with the Assembly for bringing the programme to Akrokerri. She said traditional authorities were ready to support the fight against child labour in the area.
She urged parents to take full responsibility for their children to guarantee them a brighter future in order to benefit both the family and society since they are the future generation of the community.
She cautioned parents against using their children on cocoa farms during school hours.
By: *Daniel Akwasi Nuako, Akrokerri*
