Right To Play Ghana has launched two projects, "My Life, My Rights" (MLMR) and "My Rights, My Future" (MRMF), targeting 25,000 children, 3,800 teachers, and parents across 74 rural communities. The projects aim to improve education and child protection in these areas. MLMR will reach 17,000 children, 3,000 parents, and 400 teachers across 50 communities, while MRMF will target 8,000 children and 800 teachers in 24 communities.
The "My Life, My Rights" project is progressing steadily in the Asunafo North, Adanse South, Adanse Asokwa, and Akrofuom districts. Project Manager Julius Kwami Tsatsu stated that MLMR had reached 11,000 children and about 3,000 youth, while strengthening community and district child protection structures in cocoa-growing areas. The project has also established Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs) to address child rights violations, including forced labour and other forms of exploitation.
The projects address poverty, a major contributor to child labour, through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). These associations provide financial support and economic empowerment to parents, enabling them to support their children in school and hire adult labour instead of using children on cocoa farms. According to Mr. Tsatsu, if parents become economically empowered, they will be able to support their children in school.
Despite progress, the projects face challenges, including teacher attrition and inadequate resources for child protection officers. Mr. Tsatsu identified that some basic schools have only two or three teachers, including the headteacher, instead of the required nine, leading to multi-grade teaching. He also noted that some child labour persists, particularly among migrant farmers who are reluctant to enrol their children in school.
The "My Rights, My Future" project is empowering children in the Oti and Volta regions to become advocates for their rights. Acting Project Manager Josephine Baffoe stated that MRMF is addressing exploitative child labour and trafficking in Kadjebi, Krachi East, Krachi West, and Nkwanta South through interventions, including child rights clubs. The three-year project has reached 4,320 children and targets 190 teachers to promote safe and inclusive classrooms.
The projects have faced resistance in some communities, but awareness and collaboration have improved as community members become more willing to speak up and report abuse. Ms. Baffoe noted that children are being supported through club activities to distinguish between child labour and child work, while guidance and counselling coordinators help identify children in distress.
Right To Play Ghana commended partners, government institutions, community structures, schools, and teachers for supporting the initiatives, which are scheduled to end in 2027. The organisation is working with the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and other stakeholders to facilitate teacher transfers to remote communities and address teacher attrition. Sustained stakeholder commitment is required to address the challenges identified and preserve the gains made under the projects.
Key points
- Two Right To Play Ghana projects target 25,000 children and 3,800 teachers and parents across 74 rural communities.
- The projects address child labour and education through interventions like child rights clubs and Village Savings and Loans Associations.
- Challenges faced by the projects include teacher attrition and inadequate resources for child protection officers.
