CHRAJ: Over 458,000 Ghanaian Children Out of School Due to Child Labour

More than 458,000 children in Ghana are missing school because they are engaged in child labour, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has warned.

In a statement issued on June 12, 2026, to mark World Day Against Child Labour, CHRAJ said the practice continues to deny children “their right to education, protection, development and a safe and dignified childhood,” despite constitutional guarantees and international conventions Ghana has signed.

“The fulfilment of children’s rights is among the most fundamental measures of a society’s commitment to human dignity and social justice,” the Commission stated.

CHRAJ pointed to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child as legal safeguards that should protect children. Yet the problem remains widespread.

Globally, about 138 million children are involved in child labour, including nearly 54 million in hazardous work, the Commission noted.

Citing Ghana Statistical Service figures, CHRAJ said more than 1.1 million children aged 5 to 17 were engaged in economic activity in 2023. Of that number, over 458,000 were not in school.

“Alarmingly, over 458,000 of these children were not attending school,” CHRAJ said, describing it as “the difficult reality that many children continue to miss out on education and opportunities that could shape a better future and help end the cycle of poverty.”

The Commission is calling for stronger national action under this year’s theme, _“Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”_ It stressed that child labour is not just a social issue but a rights violation under Ghanaian and international law.

CHRAJ urged authorities to tackle the conditions that push children into exploitation, warning that inaction will deepen inequality and hurt Ghana’s long-term development.