Student World Assembly launches competition on child trafficking

Yeji, June 25, GNA- Student World Assembly (SWA), a global body that represents the views of students, has launched a National Art and Essay Writing contest on "Child Trafficking and Child Labour", at Yeji in the Pru District.   
    The launch, which was in line with the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, which fell on 6th June, this year, is aimed at assessing the level of awareness about child trafficking and child labour among the youth and galvanize their support to combat the situation.
    Mr Faustinus Obretey, a social worker who launched the contest on behalf of the District Chief Executive, noted that government could not single-handedly fight the battle against child trafficking and child labour.
     He said children had a role to play in the fight by serving as peer educators and advocates.
     Mr Obretey said government was committed in the fight against child labour and child trafficking, hence the passing of the Human Trafficking Act 694, Children's Act 560 and the Juvenile Justice Act 564.
     The Project Co-ordinator of the Art and Essay Contest, Mr Aaron Lawson said, SWA- Ghana was going to embark on a capacity building training programme for teachers and some selected students living at areas where child trafficking and child labour were prevalent to serve as peer educators and community facilitators.
      The aim is to educate predominant communities through awareness creation, on the negative impact of the menace to their communities and the nation as a whole.
     The Chairman for the occasion, the Jasihene for Yeji (Sub-Chief), Nana Yaw Kagblese V said the essay contest was a step in the right direction.
     "Children are important assets and must be heard," he noted.
       UNICEF sponsored the event, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, APPLE Rural Project, a non-governmental organisation and the  District Assembly.