"Minister-Designate Advocates for the Criminalization of Child Labour"

The Minister-Designate for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has called for the criminalization of child labour, emphasizing the urgency of eliminating this practice from Ghana’s workforce. During his vetting before the Appointments Committee in Parliament, Dr. Pelpuo underscored the need for stronger legal frameworks to address child labour, urging that it be recognized as a criminal offence.

He pointed out that child labour often occurs within family-run businesses, where parents inadvertently involve their children in work, citing examples like a plumber who might ask their child to carry tools during school holidays. According to Dr. Pelpuo, this practice has evolved into a broader cultural norm, where many individuals unknowingly integrate their children into the workforce.

Dr. Pelpuo expressed his belief that criminalizing child labour would act as a deterrent, sending a clear message to society about the harmful effects of exploiting children in work environments. He assured the committee that tackling child labour would be one of his top priorities if confirmed as minister, as he works toward improving the country’s labour policies and standards.

Furthermore, Dr. Pelpuo announced plans to review the Ghana Accelerated Action Plan Against Child Labour (2023-2027), which aims to reduce the prevalence of child labour in the country. He said that he would carefully assess the plan’s progress, and if necessary, make adjustments to ensure that its objectives are met efficiently and effectively.

This statement came in response to a question about the strategies he would employ to support the country’s commitment to eliminating child labour and ensuring that Ghana meets the targets set out in the national plan. Dr. Pelpuo reiterated his commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to create a more robust and comprehensive approach to eradicating child labour in Ghana.