The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) said on Wednesday that about 1.1 million, or 10.3 percent, of Ghanaian children between the ages of five and 17 are engaged in labor.
In a release to mark World Day Against Child Labor, the GSS said about 893,000 of these children are involved in paid work, and 56 percent of them are males.
“In all, 458,443 of these working children are not attending school, including 68,500 who have never attended school and 389,943 who attended school in the past,” the release said.
It added that rural areas account for 795,175, or 72 percent, of the working children, which is significantly higher than the 309,199, or 28 percent, recorded for urban areas.
At least 80.4 percent of working children are involved in contributing to family work, both in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. The second most common employment status for children is unpaid apprenticeship, which constitutes 11.7 percent, according to the release.
“Additionally, 1.9 percent of working children are self-employed, 0.5 percent are paid employees, and 4.9 percent of working children fall under other employment categories,” the release added.
The World Day Against Child Labor, observed annually on June 12th, aims to raise awareness and prompt action to combat child labor globally. This year’s theme, “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labor,” calls for intensified efforts to fulfill pledges to eliminate child labor and protect children’s rights