MP Ernest Yaw Anim, Chairman of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, gathered key stakeholders in Sekyere Kumawu on Tuesday to reinforce collaboration against child labour and safeguard children’s rights. The meeting, organised with the International Justice Mission (IJM), drew representatives from the Kumawu Traditional Council, Local Council of Churches, Muslim Community, Department of Social Welfare, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Participants reviewed the challenges facing children in the district and debated how traditional authorities, religious bodies, state institutions and community leaders could jointly protect their welfare. Mr Anim urged assembly members and community leaders to identify and address situations that expose children to harmful labour, including illegal mining activities.
Richard Akwasi Offei, Community Engagement Specialist at IJM, praised Mr Anim for facilitating the dialogue and called for stronger cooperation among child‑protection agencies, especially Social Welfare and traditional authorities. Desmond Azemeyuo, District Director of CHRAJ, encouraged residents to report suspected human rights violations and child abuse, assuring the office would receive complaints and support protective efforts.
The session concluded with a commitment to intensified joint action against child exploitation and a pledge to keep communication channels open for reporting abuses.
