Profile of child labour in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Three hundred and twenty five children, aged 5 to 14 years, working in various occupations in Kumasi, Ghana, were interviewed to determine their work activities, in-come, family characteristics and schooling. About 95% of girls and 47% of boys were involved in trading. Other male work activities included carrying loads, shoe shining and various marginal apprenticeship work. All the children lived with an adult guardian, usually a parent or other relative who had employed them in 42% of cases. About 44% of the children worked for no cash payment, however, 18% of them earned more than 6 days minimum wage in Ghana. One-third of the children worked more than 7 hours per day and 82% worked between 5 and 7 hours per week. Sixty two per cent of the children were still attending school, 29% had stopped school Stopping school was significantly related to economic and social reasons, Education, health and social welfare professionals should be concerned about the educational and economic future of working children in urban areas in a developing country such as Ghana.