The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North constituency in the Eastern Region, Sammi Awuku on Friday, June 12, 2026, joined the Akuapem Municipal Assembly to celebrate the World Day against Child Labour at Akropong under the theme:” Red Card To Child Labour: Fair Play For Children, Decent Work For Adults In Akuapem North.
Speaking at the program, the Municipal Chief Executive of the Assembly, John Evans Kumordzi, mentioned that children are not meant for hard labour, but rather they are meant to be in school, learning, growing, playing, and preparing themselves to become the leaders, professionals, and responsible citizens of tomorrow.
“However, many children continue to engage in activities that expose them to physical, emotional, and psychological harm, while denying them the opportunity to reach their full potential,” he stated.
“As a Municipal Assembly, we recognize that investing in children is the most important investment we can make for the future of Akuapem North and Ghana as a whole,” he said.
John Kumordzi stated that they are committed to creating an environment where every child has access to quality education and adequate protection.
Mr. Kumordzi reaffirmed Akuapem North Municipal Assembly’s readiness to support initiatives that promote skills development, entrepreneurship, job creation, and social protection programmes to improve household incomes and reduce the vulnerabilities that fuel child labour.
On his part, Sammi Awuku said the reality is that many Ghanaian families are facing economic challenges. The cost of living has gone up, parents are working hard to provide, and in some cases, children are drawn into work to support their households.
“While appreciating these realities, we must also agree that the answer cannot be at the expense of a child’s future,” he opined.
The Akuapem North MP then encouraged parents and guardians not to relent in their responsibilities.
“We must continue to work hard, make sacrifices, and provide for our families to the best of our ability. Our children should not be forced to carry burdens that belong to adults. Rather, we must allow them to focus on their education and personal development so that they can grow into responsible adults who will one day contribute positively to society and support their families in return.
“Every child in Akuapem North deserves the opportunity to learn, to dream, and to develop their God-given talents. Whether that child lives in Akropong, Mampong, Aburi, Larteh, Tutu, or any other community, they deserve a fair chance in life,” noted Sammi Awuku.
Furthermore, Rebecca Tetteh, the Program Head, Child and Family Welfare at the Department of Social Welfare, Eastern Regional Directorate added that this year’s theme speaks clearly to our collective responsibility, and it reminds us that child labour is not just a violation of children’s rights; it is also a threat to their survival, protection, development, education, dignity, and future opportunities.
She indicated that the Department of Social Welfare remains committed to promoting the protection and welfare of every child in Ghana.
“Through collaboration with government agencies, development partners, traditional authorities, community leaders, schools, and families, we continue to support interventions aimed at preventing child labour, strengthening child protection systems, and providing support services for vulnerable children and families,” she added.