The Ahafo Regional Police Command has cautioned residents against engaging in child labour, warning that anyone found culpable will face the full rigours of the law.
The caution was issued during a sensitisation programme organised by the International Justice Mission (IJM) in Goaso to equip police officers with the skills needed to identify and combat child labour.
Speaking to Adom News, the Ahafo Regional Police Commander, DCOP James Annor, said the Police Service has intensified efforts to identify and arrest individuals who subject children to labour, particularly in cocoa-growing and agricultural communities across the region.
According to him, the training has enhanced the capacity of officers to detect child labour cases, enabling them to take swift action against offenders.
“With the additional knowledge acquired, our officers are better equipped to identify child labour activities and bring perpetrators to justice,” he stated.
DCOP Annor stressed that the police would not entertain excuses from suspects arrested for engaging children in labour, nor would they succumb to pressure from opinion leaders seeking leniency on behalf of offenders.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children and ensuring strict enforcement of laws against child labour.
Meanwhile, the Project Manager of the International Justice Mission, Gabriel Acolatse, called on residents to support efforts to eradicate child labour in the region.
He urged members of the public to report suspected cases to the police, noting that child labour deprives children of their rights and negatively affects their future development.
Mr. Acolatse emphasized that tackling the menace requires a collective effort from communities, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.
Source: Adomonline
