The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for renewed national commitment to ending child labour, warning that the practice continues to deprive thousands of children of their rights to education, protection and development.
In a statement to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour on Friday June 12, 2026, CHRAJ said child labour remains one of the most pressing child rights challenges in Ghana and across the world.
This year’s observance is being held under the theme, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”
According to the Commission, the fulfilment of children’s rights is a key measure of a society’s commitment to human dignity and social justice. However, many children continue to be exposed to exploitative labour conditions that rob them of a safe and dignified childhood.
CHRAJ stressed that child labour is not only a social and economic issue but also a violation of fundamental human rights guaranteed under Ghana’s laws and international conventions, including the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the 1992 Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The Commission expressed concern over the scale of the problem, citing global estimates that about 138 million children are engaged in child labour, with nearly 54 million involved in hazardous work that threatens their health, safety and development.
In Ghana, CHRAJ noted that recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service showed that more than 1.1 million children aged between five and 17 years were engaged in economic activity in 2023. Of that number, more than 458,000 were not attending school.
The Commission said the figures represent children whose rights to education, protection and development are being undermined, adding that many continue to miss out on opportunities that could help break the cycle of poverty.
CHRAJ therefore urged government institutions, employers, communities, civil society organisations and development partners to strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating child labour and addressing the socio-economic conditions that make children vulnerable to exploitation.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of children and called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure every child enjoys a safe, healthy and dignified childhood.
SOURCE: MAVIS FANTEVI
