Child Labor in Ghana
ENGL 1101
11/15/12
Child Labor In Ghana Child labor is one of the major problems facing most developing countries in the world, especially in Africa where the highest rate of child labor is found, where three out five children are involve in either full time or part time jobs. According to a research conducted by International Labor Organization in 2002 , Africa has approximately 41% of children from the ages of 5 to 14 involved in the labor market , but whenever the issue of child labor is raised the media pay little attention to Africa and concentrate most of their attention on Asia and some Latin American countries. Just like most developing countries Ghana has being experiencing child labor after the nation independence with the children involved in both heavy and light jobs. According to Mull L. Diane, and Stephen R. Kirkhorn. “Child Labor In Ghana Cocoa Production: Focus Upon Agricultural Tasks, Ergonomic Exposures, And Associated Injuries And Illness’’ A recent child labor survey conducted by Ghana statistical Service in 2003, states that Ghana has 21.7% of its children involve in economic activities (p. 650). This figure shows that Ghana has more than half of Africa’s rate of child labor. Child labor is one of the major reasons Ghana is considered as one of the poorest country in the world. 2 Poverty is the main cause of child labor in Ghana and any other country experiencing this problem. With over 50% of Ghana’s population living below the poverty line, parents are force to push their children into trading or any kind of business just to provide little money to help raise the household income. With tuition fees and other fees being too high for most parents in the rural areas parents pull their children out of school to
11/15/12
Child Labor In Ghana Child labor is one of the major problems facing most developing countries in the world, especially in Africa where the highest rate of child labor is found, where three out five children are involve in either full time or part time jobs. According to a research conducted by International Labor Organization in 2002 , Africa has approximately 41% of children from the ages of 5 to 14 involved in the labor market , but whenever the issue of child labor is raised the media pay little attention to Africa and concentrate most of their attention on Asia and some Latin American countries. Just like most developing countries Ghana has being experiencing child labor after the nation independence with the children involved in both heavy and light jobs. According to Mull L. Diane, and Stephen R. Kirkhorn. “Child Labor In Ghana Cocoa Production: Focus Upon Agricultural Tasks, Ergonomic Exposures, And Associated Injuries And Illness’’ A recent child labor survey conducted by Ghana statistical Service in 2003, states that Ghana has 21.7% of its children involve in economic activities (p. 650). This figure shows that Ghana has more than half of Africa’s rate of child labor. Child labor is one of the major reasons Ghana is considered as one of the poorest country in the world. 2 Poverty is the main cause of child labor in Ghana and any other country experiencing this problem. With over 50% of Ghana’s population living below the poverty line, parents are force to push their children into trading or any kind of business just to provide little money to help raise the household income. With tuition fees and other fees being too high for most parents in the rural areas parents pull their children out of school to
Cited: Acheampong, Elvis Akwasi. “ The Canker Of Child labor In Ghana, A Cause For Concern.” Ghanaweb. Ghanaweb. 29 Oct. 2010. Web. 3 Nov. 2012. Mull L. Diane, and Stephen R. Kirkhorn. “Child Labor In Ghana Cocoa Production: Focus Upon Agricultural Tasks, Ergonomic Exposures, And Associated Injuries And Illness’’. Public Health Reports 120.6 (2005 ): 649-656. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.