The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for renewed national and global commitment to ending child labour, describing the practice as a serious violation of children’s rights and a major obstacle to their education, protection and development.
In a statement marking the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, observed under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” CHRAJ said child labour continues to deprive millions of children worldwide of their right to a safe, dignified and productive childhood.
The Commission noted that protecting children’s rights remains a fundamental measure of any society’s commitment to human dignity and social justice. However, it said child labour remains one of the most pressing child rights challenges both in Ghana and across the world.
According to CHRAJ, child labour violates several legal protections, including Ghana’s Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the 1992 Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The Commission expressed concern over the scale of the problem, citing global estimates that approximately 138 million children remain engaged in child labour, with nearly 54 million involved in hazardous work that threatens their health, safety and development.
In Ghana, CHRAJ referenced recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service, which indicates that more than 1.1 million children aged between 5 and 17 years were engaged in economic activity in 2023. Of this figure, over 458,000 children were reportedly not attending school.
The Commission warned that the situation continues to deny many children access to education and opportunities that could help break the cycle of poverty and secure a better future.
CHRAJ urged government institutions, employers, communities, parents and other stakeholders to strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating child labour and ensuring that every child enjoys their rights to education, protection, development and dignity.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting children’s rights and called on all sectors of society to work together to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Ghana’s children.
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