New research has revealed that 60 per cent of children living in the fishing communities along the lake Volta are into child labour.
The research conducted by the challenging heights in association with ILO and other allied bodies sampled 2,999 children in 5 districts along the lake Volta.
The sampled children were made up of 1,734 males and 1,265 females Krachi east and west in the Oti region, Kpando in Volta region, Pru in the Bono east, and central Gonja in the savannah region.
The three months research was conducted between March and May this year and found that 61 per cent of boys and 39 girls are in child labour.
47 per cent of the children in child labour are between 5 and 9 years old, 69 per cent are between 10 and 14 years while 77 per cent were between 15 and 17 years old.
The report found the task among the male child labours as canoe paddling 46 per cent, scoping water 32 per cent, nets casting 35 per cent and net pulling 33 per cent.
The female child labours were found to be engaged in fetching firewood 34 per cent fish processing 35 per cent and cooking 23 per cent.
The research again finds that 76 per cent of the respondent child labours are not in school while 57 per cent are in some form of basic education.
The increase in the number of children in child labour is partly blamed on covid 19 pandemic.
Earlier reports from ILO and UNICEF have suggested COVID caused an increase in child labour in African by 16.6 million.
June 12 is set aside by the ILO to draw the world’s attention to the abuse of children in labour situations.
The theme for this year is ‘universal social protection to end child labour’.
