Kokoo Pa Farmers Association (KPFA) and its partner, Winrock International,  commemorated this year’s World Day Against Child Labour, through the MATE MASIE Project. The commemoration took place in some selected districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana; namely, Atwima Nwabiagya, Atwima Mponua and Adansi South districts respectively.

The 12th of June has been set aside by the International Labour Organization and its Constituents, since 2002, to mark the World Day Against Child Labour.

 

The 2023 commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour was under the Theme, “Intensify Action Against Child Labour; Do It now! Do It Fast.” The theme sought to create and intensify awareness as well as pull together all efforts and resources to meet the 2025 deadline for eliminating child Labour to its barest minimum.

This year’s commemoration by KPFA and its partner, Winrock
International, sought to;

  • Highlight the plight of victims of child labour, especially those in the worst forms of child labour.
  • Provide the platform to stimulate the commitment of partners:  government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society groups, research institutions, opinion leaders, teachers, parents, children and development partners.
  • Protect and support children to develop their full potential and harness their abilities and capabilities.

 

The commemoration brought together School children, Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC) members from the various project communities; such, as Ntabenu, Ahwiaa, Nerebehi, Hiawu Bisease, Asarekrom, Agotimeh, Ahomahoma, Essongkrom, Odumase, Debra Camp, Owusukrom, Awisesu, Kyiribaa and Afepaye.   The members of the District Child Protection Committees in the districts were also present.

Various life-transforming activities were undertaken; including, Radio Discussion, Float in the communities with placards, Community Durbar and Quiz competition.

 

As part of the Durbar, the Coordinating Directors of each of the district, Directors from Winrock International, Kokoo Pa Farmers Association and Chiefs from the host communities delivered speeches on the national theme.
There were also poetry recitals, dramas and choreographic displays by pupils from the basic schools from the 20 beneficiary communities of the MATE MASIE project to draw the attention of the general public to the dangers of child labour and the need to nib the menace in the bud.