The Head of Department of Social Welfare and Community Development in charge of the Bongo District in the Upper East Region, Mr John Theodore Azam, who made the call to mark this year’s World Day Against Child Labour, organized in Bongo, stressed that such acts did not only inhibit the proper growth and development of the child but was an affront to Ghana’s and international laws.

He cited the engagement of under aged children on farms, in the construction industry, and as head porters among others, who instead of being in school, are engaged in child labour activities in the Region.

He expressed worry about parents who under the pretext of being poor, push their children to engage in child labour and warned that such argument was baseless adding that adults who engaged in such acts would be dealt with according to the law.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Peter Ayamga Ayambisa, said instead of being in school, many children were engaged in galamsey and stone quarry activities and warned teachers to desist from engaging school pupils on their farms and commercial activities, saying the District Assembly would not tolerate such acts.

He cautioned the people particularly the youth to avoid lynching people whom they perceived to be associated with witchcraft and warned that such people would not be spared by the law when caught.  

 As part of the day’s activities, two Senior High Schools, Azeem-Namoa Senior High Technical and Soe Senior High School engaged in a debate on the topic “Children Should not be Involved in any form of Child Labour in Ghana”.

Azeem-Namoa Senior High Technical, who spoke on the topic, emerged the winner of the debate and was presented with a certificate from the Assembly. Meanwhile all the participants received awards.

The Queen mother of the Bongo Traditional Area, Pognaba Christian Nge , who chaired the function commended the students for their excellent performance in the debate.