The rescue, adoption and enrolment of Master Daniel Ayaaba, a 19-year old farm labour from Bawku in the Upper West Region in school, gave practical meaning to the celebration of this year's International World Day against Child Labour at Juaso in the Asante Akim North district.
Mr. Osei Wiafe-Akenten, Juaso District Cocoa Officer, the benefactor, told Ghana News Agency that, Master Ayaaba was trafficked to the southern part of the country by a man resident at Boamadumase in the Ejisu-Juaben District as a result of the conflict in the area when Ayaaba's mother died which resulted to his dropping out of school.
He said, the man promised to help Ayaaba to continue with his education but on the contrary, he loaned the boy to a cocoa farmer at Boamadumase who engaged him as a farm labourer.
Later, Mr. Wiafe-Akenten revealed that, Ayaaba was loaned to him for a fee to look after his flock of sheep, but later, observing that the boy was humble, respectful and hardworking, he enrolled him in school at Juaso after completing negotiations with the man who brought Ayaaba to the south.
Mr. Wiafe-Akenten said, he paid a substantial amount of money to the man before he agreed to allow the boy to be adopted and sent to school.
At his age, Master Ayaaba is in primary five and according to him, it was his desire to become a lawyer.
Mr. Wiafe-Akenten reaffirmed his commitment to sponsor Ayaaba to any level of his education so that, he would become an asset and a role model to the State and the youth.
Master Ayaaba, who was highly elated and full of praise to his benefactor, gave the assurance that, he would learn very hard to achieve his desires, adding, "this will enable me to champion the crusade against child labour and other worst forms of child labour".