Peer-reviewed article
Deconstructing the Factors Engendering Child Labour in Ghana
Kwaku Obeng Effah ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines the legal factors that contribute to child labour in Ghana, where over two million children are engaged in such work. Using a qualitative desk review, the researchers identify legal inadequacies and loopholes in Ghana's legal framework that allow child labour to persist. The study argues that addressing child labour requires understanding not just social and economic factors, but also the specific legal gaps that enable the practice. The authors propose that strengthening Ghana's legal framework is essential to protect children's rights and reduce prevalence of child labour.
Key points
- Over two million children in Ghana are engaged in child labour
- Legal inadequacies and loopholes in Ghana's legal framework perpetuate child labour
- Child labour is often examined through multisectoral perspectives that overlook legal factors
- A robust legal framework is necessary to combat child labour effectively
- The findings have implications for addressing child labour across Sub-Saharan Africa
Limitations
As a qualitative desk review, this study does not provide empirical data on the prevalence or specific impacts of child labour, nor does it evaluate any intervention or proposed legal changes. The document does not detail which specific laws or legal gaps were identified or what reforms are recommended.
Abstract
Abstract Child labour in Ghana is a multifaceted issue often examined through a multisectoral lens, which frequently overlooks the legal factors that engender the practice of the menace. Addressing this gap, the present study, by means of a qualitative desk review, explores the legal inadequacies that perpetuate child labour in Ghana. With over two million children engaged in child labour, it is imperative to examine the legal loopholes that inadvertently fester prevalence of such acts of human rights violation. By analysing these legal gaps, the study aims to provide both theoretical insights and practical solutions to mitigate the prevalence of child labour. This research underscores the necessity of a robust legal framework to combat the complexities of child labour effectively and uphold children’s rights in the country and across jurisdictions within Sub-Saharan Africa, where child labour is known to be prevalent.