World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with the Wa East District Assembly, has launched the district’s first Children’s Parliament. This initiative aims to combat child labour in the region. The launch commemorated the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour.
The international development organisation World Vision primarily funds this new parliamentary body. The Children’s Parliament will give young people a platform to speak out against exploitation. This initiative seeks to address underlying educational and socio-economic issues in rural communities.
Child labour in the Wa East district is largely caused by rural poverty and illegal small-scale mining. This type of mining is commonly known as galamsey. Interventions from World Vision include building mechanised boreholes to help keep girls in school. They also train Community Child Protection Committees and run the “Enough Campaign” to fight child hunger. These efforts are crucial against the economic pressures pushing children into labour.
World Vision Projects Officer Anthony Armoh-Adu stated these facts on behalf of World Vision Cluster Manager Sergious Before. The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wa East, Adamu Sayibu, officially inaugurated the 50-member House. He praised World Vision for its significant contributions to the district’s development. The NGO recently distributed over 3,000 Vitamin A tablets to local health facilities. Its climate-smart agriculture training programme has also benefited 857 farmers.
The DCE also highlighted government efforts to improve education and skills. These include upgrading Loggu Senior High School to boarding status. The “One Million Coders” programme will also equip local youth with digital skills. Despite these programs, achieving quality education remains a major hurdle.
The District Director of Education, Yahaya Mumuni Abdul-Raman, identified several key barriers. Poor road networks, severe infrastructure deficits, and inadequate teacher motivation hinder children’s potential. The lack of decent teacher accommodation and teaching materials leads to absenteeism. This often pushes vulnerable children into hazardous work. Clement Mol, Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, called for strict enforcement of community by-laws. He represented the District Coordinating Director, Abukari Alidu Abdulrazak.
Mr. Mol stressed that child protection is a shared responsibility, not just for one institution. Child labour deprives children of education and harms their physical and emotional development. It also exposes them to abuse and neglect. He urged parents, traditional leaders, teachers, and faith-based organisations to work together. This coalition should identify at-risk children and support vulnerable households. He also appealed to traditional authorities to enforce by-laws and promote cultural values that protect children.
The new Children’s Parliament mirrors national democratic institutions. It includes a Speaker, Majority and Minority Caucuses, a Clerk’s Directorate, and a Marshal. Lead Trainer James Baba Anabiga explained its purpose. The platform empowers children to articulate their concerns directly to stakeholders. Majority Leader Abdul Suglo Zakiu noted the platform has boosted confidence among his peers. Minority Leader Sakara Mercy added that parliamentary sittings help students overcome fears and respect diverse views. These developments promise greater advocacy and direct engagement on child protection issues in the district, impacting community well-being and future human capital.