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Child labour in Ghana: Implications for children's education and health

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  • Hamenoo, Emma Seyram
  • Dwomoh, Emmanuel Aprakru
  • Dako-Gyeke, Mavis

Abstract

Drawing on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, this study investigated child labour experiences of children in Ghana. Using a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 participants who were purposively selected. Data collected were analyzed thematically and the findings indicated that reasons why children engaged in child labour included poverty, parental absence, and poor enforcement of educational and child labour laws. The findings further revealed that children's engagement in selling on the highway could negatively affect their health and education. Based on the findings, we recommend that there should be effective implementation of educational and child labour laws in order to mitigate this menace.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamenoo, Emma Seyram & Dwomoh, Emmanuel Aprakru & Dako-Gyeke, Mavis, 2018. "Child labour in Ghana: Implications for children's education and health," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 248-254.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:93:y:2018:i:c:p:248-254
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.07.026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Martey, Edward & Etwire, Prince M. & Mockshell, Jonathan & Armah, Ralph & Akorsikumah, Eli, 2023. "Ecological shocks and children’s school attendance and farm work in Ghana," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    2. Mehdi Feizi & Saeed Malek Sadati & Mozhgan Asna-ashary, 2023. "Child Labor and Unemployment: a Tale of Two Associations in Urban and Rural Areas in Iran," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 1297-1314, June.
    3. Kyereko, Daniel Owusu & Smith, William C. & Hlovor, Ishmael & Keney, Gabriel, 2022. "Understanding grade repetition from the perspectives of teachers and principals in basic schools in Ghana," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    4. Mavis Dako-Gyeke & Richard Baffo Kodom & Alhassan Sulemana, 2023. "Experiences of Unaccompanied Child Migrant Workers from West African Countries Living in Ghana," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 527-546, June.
    5. Dunne, Máiréad & Humphreys, Sara, 2022. "The edu-workscape: Re-conceptualizing the relationship between work and education in rural children’s lives in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).
    6. Abdullah, Alhassan & Cudjoe, Ebenezer & Bastian, Carmela & Jordan, Lucy P., 2024. "Passing the torch or breaking a cycle of intergenerational transmission of child labour: Reflections from the lived experiences of children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    7. Andika Wahab & Ramli Dollah, 2023. "Measuring Child Labor in Oil Palm Production in Sabah, Malaysia," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, October.

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