Child labour on the increase in Sekondi-Takoradi Metro
From Zambaga Rufai Saminu, Takoradi
Minors engaged on commercial mini buses as conductors in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
CHILD LABOUR in the transport sector has become rampant in the Sekondi
Takoradi Metropolis (STMA), as commercial trotro (mini bus) drivers who ply their trade in the twin city, continue to engage the services of minors to help them.
During vacation periods, many children from the Nzema, Wassa and Ahanta areas of the Western Region, rush to the metropolis to seek greener pastures in this trotro business, for fees ranging between GH¢4 and GH¢5 daily.
Unfortunately, the risk involved has never been quantified by parents who push their wards into the business.
The innocent children themselves are unaware of the dangers associated with the transport business, hence, gladly allow themselves to be used because of poverty.
At least, about a hundred children, during the research work, were spotted either in their vehicles collecting the fares, or hanging on their respective vehicles shouting for passengers.
Most of them told this reporter that they were in the job because their parents could not take good care of them.
Interestingly, stakeholders in the transport industry in the Western Region, who were contacted by this reporter over the subject, were unhappy about the negative development, and called for its immediate halt.
Leaders of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) condemned the practice, and noted that all efforts they have made to stop the use of minors as drivers’ mate have proved futile.
The Western Regional Secretary of the Union, Mr. Allando Sidfique, told this reporter, “what we normally do is to investigate, but it is sometimes very difficult, because over 90 per cent of these cases are as a result of economic problems.”
To him, the problem was beyond the strength of the private sector, and called for government intervention.
“I believe it is a problem that must be addressed by the government,” he noted.
Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, described the situation as unacceptable, saying, “By law that is unacceptable; the law is against that; no one should use a child under sixteen in this sector,” when this reporter contacted him.
Thomas Bismark Boakye, former Western and Central Regional Coordinator of the Ghana Roads Safety Commission (GRSC), in an interview, confirmed that children were being used in such a risky business.
According to him, his outfit, in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), did everything possible to stop the practice, but were not successful. “We are against that, and so we have asked drivers of the various stations to desist from that,” he stated.
Mr. Boakye blamed parents for allowing their children to engage in such a risky business.
He noted that all the major stakeholders in the sector had consistently made it clear to drivers to understand the basic requirements they ought to meet in conducting their business, which includes the use of matured persons as ‘bus conductors’ or trotro mates.
Regrettably, he said, some of the drivers had failed to comply with the requirements, and continued to use minors as conductors/mates.
In an interview with a Child Rights Activist, Mr. Charles Cobbina, he described the rise in child labor activities in the Western Region, particularly in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis, as shameful.
According to him, it was appalling to sit behind and watch children competing with adults for social and economic survival.
A member of the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) operating in the metropolis, Mr. Agyapa Buah, in an interview, also confirmed the increasing spate of child labour in Western Region, particularly in the twin city.
According to him, ten schools in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis, and five from the Mopohor Wassa East District, had been selected to educate the children to better understand the benefit one can derive from education.
Mr. Buah also announced that his outfit had come out with a concept called ‘AFLATOUN’, which revolves around five thematic areas to help inform and transform children.
The idea is to help the children understand and take positive steps toward the betterment of their lives, understand their rights and responsibilities, learn the importance of saving, and develop the culture of planning among others.
The concept, he revealed, was being carried out by his outfit, Support for Community Mobilization Project and Programmes (SCMP), in collaboration with the Bureau Foundation, another non governmental organisation (NGO) engaged in social activities, under the Technical supervision and sponsorship of Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV).
According to him, 30 teachers in the aforementioned districts had been selected as facilitators to help train selected children, as part of activities in carrying out the education programme.
Pics: Minors engaged on commercial mini buses as conductors in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
Short URL: http://ghanaian-chronicle.com/?p=3182