A seminar under the auspices of RoyalAid Foundation was on Saturday, June 12 organised for fishermen and some selected fathers within the Kpone Katamanso District of the Greater Accra Region.
The seminar was to mark World Day Against Child Labour, celebrated every 12 June since 2002.
World Day Against Child Labour is aimed at bringing attention to the problem of child labour and to find ways of eradicating it. This year’s theme was ‘Act Now: End Child Labour’.
The seminar was specially used to discuss the harmful mental and physical problems faced by children forced into child labour.
Speaking at the event, founder of RoyalAid Foundation Dr SK Frimpong observed that it is tempting for fishermen to engage in child labour because being on the sea is adventurous and curious kids will voluntarily want to join fishing.
But, he stressed, fishermen should note that the future is brighter for educated kids than school dropouts.
Dr Frimpong, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Aliu Mahama Foundation, added that it is illegal to do both child trafficking and slavery, therefore, those who trade kids on the sea should stop.
The Kpone Katamanso Municipal Chief Executive, Solomon Tettey Appiah, on his part, told the gathering that education is now free from creche to SHS, therefore, parents have no excuse to force their children into child labour.
He said his office is open to all, and he is ever ready to support the people.
Mr Tettey Appiah advised the assembly members to continue advising the people in the various communities to end child labor.
Among the dignitaries present were the Chief Fisherman, Nii Nuertey Charway II, queenmother Naa Akuye Osanyanyara and assembly members of Kpone Katamanso.
