Ghana’s Labour Minister, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, has pledged to eradicate child labor, forging a new partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to tackle this persistent problem.
The two parties met in Accra to discuss strategies for creating child labor-free zones by 2025 and strengthening child protection measures.
Dr. Pelpuo highlighted that child labor remains a major challenge in cocoa farming, mining, and agriculture. These industries are vital to Ghana’s economy but also pose risks when labor laws are not enforced.
“We must balance economic growth with child protection,” Dr. Pelpuo said. “With partners like JICA, UNICEF, and the ILO, we can keep children in classrooms and out of hazardous work.”
JICA has long supported Ghana in infrastructure, health, and education. They expressed interest in working with the Ministry to find lasting solutions to child labor. Their visit comes as the government steps up efforts to improve labor conditions.
Dr. Pelpuo’s leadership on this issue goes beyond Ghana. He recently led a delegation to the European Union (EU) to discuss global strategies for ending child labor.
The meeting with JICA adds momentum to Ghana’s fight against child labor. With strong partnerships and action, the government is hopeful that every child will have the right to education, safety, and a future free from exploitation.
