CHRAJ Calls for Stronger Action Against Child Labour on 2026 World Day Commemoration

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for renewed national and global commitment to ending child labour as Ghana joins the international community to mark the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour.

In a statement released under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” CHRAJ stressed the urgent need to eliminate all forms of child exploitation and protect the rights of children across the country.

The Commission noted that child labour continues to deprive many children of their right to education, development, safety, and a dignified childhood, describing it as one of the most pressing child rights challenges globally and in Ghana.

CHRAJ highlighted that child labour violates key legal and human rights frameworks, including the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Citing global and national statistics, the Commission expressed concern that millions of children remain engaged in labour, with many also missing out on education. It noted that in Ghana, over 1.1 million children were engaged in economic activities in 2023, with a significant number not attending school.

The statement further emphasized that addressing child labour requires tackling root causes such as poverty, inequality, lack of social protection, and limited access to quality education. CHRAJ called for stronger efforts to improve living conditions, expand social support systems, and ensure decent work opportunities for adults to prevent children from being pushed into labour.

The Commission urged government, civil society, and stakeholders to intensify interventions aimed at identifying, protecting, and rehabilitating children in labour situations. It also called for increased public education and stronger reporting mechanisms to help safeguard children’s rights.

CHRAJ concluded that every child removed from labour and returned to school represents a restored childhood and a reclaimed future, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all children in Ghana.