AKROPONG AKUAPEM, E/R- The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akuapem North, John Evans Kumodzi, has called on all stakeholders to play active roles in promoting the development and well-being of children within their communities.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on child labour issues at Akropong-Akuapem, Mr. Kumodzi stressed the need for parents, teachers, traditional authorities, and community members to work together to safeguard the future of children.
According to him, children deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop in a safe environment rather than being subjected to hard labour that deprives them of their education and future prospects.
“Children are not meant for hard labour. They are meant to be in school, learning, growing, playing, and preparing themselves to become leaders, professionals, and responsible citizens of tomorrow,” he stated.
The MCE expressed concern that many children continue to engage in activities that expose them to physical, emotional, and psychological harm, thereby limiting their ability to achieve their full potential.
Mr. Kumodzi noted that the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly recognizes investment in children as one of the most critical investments for the future development of the municipality and the nation as a whole. He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that every child has access to quality education and adequate protection.
He however, acknowledged that poverty and economic hardship remain major factors driving child labour, forcing some families to involve their children in income-generating activities at the expense of their education.
He therefore emphasized that efforts to eliminate child labour must be accompanied by initiatives that create sustainable livelihoods and decent employment opportunities for adults.
The MCE further disclosed that the Assembly remains committed to supporting programmes that promote skills development, entrepreneurship, job creation, and social protection interventions aimed at improving household incomes and reducing vulnerabilities that contribute to child labour.
He called on parents and guardians to prioritize their children’s education and welfare, urged teachers to continue providing supportive learning environments, and encouraged traditional leaders to champion child protection efforts within their communities.
Mr. Kumodzi also appealed to community members to report cases of child exploitation to the appropriate authorities to help protect vulnerable children and secure a brighter future for the next generation.
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Nicetv News
Reported by Ofori Sarkodie
Edited by Ofori Sarkodie
