Stories of Stolen Childhood by KOSS Model

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD BACKGROUND TO CHILD LABOR IN GHANA

According to the ILO, child labor is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity. It refers to work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and interferes with their schooling by:

Depriving them of the opportunity to attend school Obliging them to leave school prematurely, or Requiring them to attempt to combine school

attendance with excessively long and heavy work.

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How does it relate nationally and internationally?

The concept of child labour is based on the ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), which represents the most comprehensive and authoritative international definition of minimum age for admission to employment or work. Under the Ghana Children Act 1998, minimum age for admission of children into employment is fifteen (15). However, children may be employed at the age of thirteen (13) to do light work. The minimum age for engagement of persons in hazardous work is eighteen (18).

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

Whilst child labour by both boys and girls takes many different forms, the elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) as defined by Article 3 of the ILO Convention No. 182 is a priority. The convention calls for immediate prohibition of the WFCL, enacting laws, regulations and standards. Secondly, it requires ratifying states to take urgent and effective measures to eliminate these worst forms through programmes of action. It applies to all children under the age of 18, but calls for special attention to girls.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

CONT. Are employers allowed to engage

children in hazardous work? No. Employers are not allowed to

engage children in exploitative labour which deprives children of education, healthcare and development.

Can an employer engage children in night work?

No. Employers are not supposed to engage children in night work.

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What is some of the hazardous work that employers should not engage children in?

Under no circumstances are children allowed to do the following hazardous work:

Going to sea Mining and quarrying Porterage of heavy loads Working at manufacturing industries where

chemicals are produced Working in places where machines are used Working in places such as bars, hotels and places

of entertainment where a person may be exposed to immoral behavior.

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What will be the consequences if an employer allows children to do hazardous work?

Any employer who contravenes this provision shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding GHc1000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD PICTURES OF OTHER FORMS OF CHILD LABOR THAT STUDENTS COULD NOT EXPLORE.Child labor in the fishing industry

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Child labor in the cocoa industry

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Child labor in the stone quarry industry

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

The slides below presents the report of the field tripe organised by the team at KOSS Model Basic School in Ghana.

The team explored four forms of child labor. Namely;

Trading Small Scale Mining (Galamsey) Transportation (Conductor) Head porters (Kayaye)

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

A work done by:Kesse Frimpong

I, Kesse Frimpong interviewed this boy called Wahab Shaibu, a student of Madrasatu Tarbiyatul Islamiya (M.T.I). He is 15 years of age.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

He is not suppose to work but due to certain circumstances he is working. The work is for his father and he often goes there to help. Due to the separation between his father and his mother, looking after him has become a problem.

Therefore he needs to work in order to support himself and his education. He is in junior high school three(3) and about to write BASIC EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION.(B.E.C.E) but do not get the time to learn due to his occupation this will lead to his failure in the exams.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

THIS WHERE WAHAB WORKS

This is where Wahab works. The environment is filthy and could end up acquiring diseases and infection . This place is very dangerous and unsanitary . They can easily acquire respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and others.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

A WATER BODY BEING DESTROYED DUE TO

THEIR ACTIVITIES.

This water was safe for human consumption but is now unsafe for human use.

With this we can say that their activities has greatly destroyed the environment and its components.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOODA work done by:

Esther KwaningTHE CONDUCTOR

Firstly when I move closer to him, the 14 year old boy was frightened and much anxious. On my way back home from school I see him conducting at the road side.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

At about 14 years of age, still qualifies to be an under age (minor) to be working as a conductor at Konongo station. Yes, that is the particular place I met him working.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

Richmond was working with his father. He spend his days as Bus Conductor at the lorry station. I asked for his home town. He said, they are originally from Ofuase. His family migrated from Ofuase in search of a better place to carry out their work.

Richmond is among the child workers who live to prevent their parent from becoming poor and protect them from the insecurity of hunger.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

HOW MOSES BECAME “KAYAYE”

At the age of 10, Moses lost his parents and therefore moved from his hometown in the northern region of Ghana, a town called Salaga because of instability (conflict) to settle at Odumase with the aim of searching for peace.

Work by Kesse Frimpong

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

Later he then managed to start his own business as a “kayaye” (people who carry items of travelers) at the lorry station. As time goes on, he afforded a wheel barrow to make his work a bit easier. He said he has done this for almost four years and he is still doing this because he can no more live in the shackles of poverty.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

A field work by Asantewaa Kandah from KOSS Model Basic School.

This is Kofi Owusu, a 15 years old graduate of Junior High School. He is engaged in selling of Ice Cream in order to save money to help his parents to send him to Senior High School next academic year. His parents are peasant farmers who find it very difficult to have earns meet.

STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD