Caught between Human Right Abuse and Survival: The Incidence of Child Labour in Obuasi

Abstract

Children who are the future leaders of countries are exploited and forced into labour instead of receiving good education. Despite the increasing commitment by governments and their partners to tackle child labour worldwide, it remains a problem on the massive scale. This study therefore seeks to assess the effects of child labour on children with specific emphasis on the Obuasi municipality of the Ashanti region of Ghana. The study adopted the use of the mixed research method. Purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. The sample size for this study was fifty (50) people. The study reveals that children engaged in galamsey to contribute to their family income, to pay their school fees and to provide for themselves basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Also, it is evident that the children’s involvement in this activity has affected them adversely. From the study it is clear that child labour negatively affects the education of children. Based on these findings the study recommends joint efforts among various stakeholders with the aim of developing public awareness of children’s rights and the problems encountered by working children.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n1p73