As the international community marks the 2023 edition of World Day Against Child Labour today, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Challenging Heights has announced that it has rescued 23 children engaged in child labour on the Volta Lake.

According to the NGO, the rescue of the children took place over the weekend ahead of the global celebration.

The victims rescued comprised 17 boys and 6 girls whose ages ranged from 4 to 17 years. These children who were engaged in all forms of child labour were rescued from about 16 different communities along the banks of the Volta Lake.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the celebration, President of Challenging Heights, James Kofi Annan, assured that the rescued children will be sheltered and integrated into society.

He further indicated that Challenging Heights will continue its efforts to end child labour in Ghana by adopting a comprehensive strategy of rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of affected children. He added that the organization will also engage in advocacy at all levels to create awareness and influence policies and implementation.

“On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, Challenging Heights is calling on government to increase its investment, especially for the state agencies mandated to fight against child labour to ensure that the state agencies are effective in carrying out their mandate. We also believe that the lack of coordination between the Child Labour Unit of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the Department of Children of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection weaken the efforts at fighting child labour in Ghana,” James Kofi Annan said.

The global theme for this year’s event is “Social Justice for All: End Child Labour Now.” Ghana has adopted the theme “Protect Children Against Child Labour Now More Than Ever.”

Find below some of the images of the rescue exercise: