Child Labour in Ghana: A Case Study of Fishing at Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

Child labour has assumed alarming proportion in the world over and most especially in the developing countries. The literature indicates that child labour is the main obstacle of human resource development which is a necessary ingredient of national development.The survey examines child labour in Ghana: A case study of fishing at Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana. The case study method was used in the study because of its relevance in contemporary developmental issues like the child labour. The sample frame covers some of  the children in the selected community from which a sample size of 40 was determined through the use of the mathematical formula given by Miller and Brewer (2003). Systematic sampling was then used to select the children who were interviewed. The study relied on data gathered from the secondary sources and primary data from the field to do the analysis. The results of the survey show that all children in ages 5- 17 years at Elmina surveyed in the study area at least do household chores. In addressing the challenges the researcher suggested that government should provide the support for fisher folks such the provision of full complement of input for fishing to reduce child labour. The study recommends that there should be awareness creation, education and advocacy using the media. Also, District Assembly in consultation with the stakeholders should make a bye-law not to allow children to work at the fishing sites.

Keywords: Child labour, Child work, harzadous work, Elmina