Ketu north: Madam Felicia Afi Ayikpa, the Social Development Officer of the Department of Social Welfare in the Ketu North Municipality, has called for strengthened collective action to protect children from child labour, teenage pregnancy, and other forms of abuse that threaten their development and future prospects.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Ayikpa spoke in an interview to mark the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, observed on Friday, June 12. The annual observance, instituted by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness on the need to safeguard children and promote environments that support their healthy growth and development, free from exploitation.
She explained that child labour involves situations where children are engaged in hazardous work or assigned tasks that exceed their physical and mental capacity, often to the detriment of their education, health, and overall well-being. This year's theme, 'Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,' calls for renewed commitment from all stakeholders to eliminate child labour while promoting decent livelihoods for adults.
Madam Ayikpa revealed that the Ketu North Municipality had organized a series of activities to mark the day, including radio discussions and community durbars aimed at sensitizing residents on the dangers of child labour and the importance of keeping children in school. She emphasized that education remains one of the most effective tools for securing children's future.
The Social Welfare Department remains open to the public to provide guidance, counselling, and support on issues relating to child welfare and development. Madam Ayikpa encouraged stakeholders to work together to raise responsible and productive citizens, as children remain the future leaders of the country.
On the issue of teenage pregnancy, she described it as a major challenge in the municipality, noting that it continued to undermine efforts aimed at improving child development outcomes. The issue is often linked to factors such as parental neglect, inadequate supervision, and socio-economic hardships, which expose children to risky behaviours.
Madam Ayikpa explained that teenage pregnancy disrupts the education and future aspirations of affected girls, with only a few managing to recover and continue their education. The department has intensified sensitisation campaigns through schools, communities, churches, and radio platforms to educate both parents and children on responsible behaviour and child protection.
She appealed to parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to play their part in safeguarding children from abuse and exploitation, stressing that age-appropriate activities should not interfere with children's education, health, and development.