CHRI volunteer Brandon Carter (see picture) was kind enough to 
take time away from the elephants to write the Gateway a report on last month's CHRI child trafficking workshop.
On the 22nd of May 2007, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) in collaboration with Hon. Vera Boamah and the Unit Committee conducted a workshop, sponsored by Projects Abroad, to inform the public on the dangers associated with the practice of Child Trafficking. The workshop was held two hours away from Accra in the rural area of Bortianor in an area known for child trafficking. The workshop occurred at the local Methodist Basic School and lasted approximately two hours.
Talks to the local community came from key figures from within the community who stated that the violation of fundamental human rights was a grave concern in many areas and that community support was crucial in reducing human rights abuse.
Hon. Vera asserted that the key, most important factor in advocating for human rights is education. Devoid of school and education, children lose the opportunity to fulfil their potential and become the “better people” It is a parent’s responsibility to look after their children and educate them, thus allowing them to grow as people and live better lives.
As such the workshop included a play, a collection of poems (both performed by the local school children) a talk from the Chief of Police. In addition to these events Projects Abroad’s very own CHRI volunteer Corinne Shepherd (see picture below) gave a speech to the audience that emphasised why child trafficking is a real and serious problem that parents should avoiding taking part of in the future. Focusing on children’s rights, child trafficking and its definition, and what is illegal in Ghana and examples.
Talks to the local community came from key figures from within the community who stated that the violation of fundamental human rights was a grave concern in many areas and that community support was crucial in reducing human rights abuse.
Hon. Vera asserted that the key, most important factor in advocating for human rights is education. Devoid of school and education, children lose the opportunity to fulfil their potential and become the “better people” It is a parent’s responsibility to look after their children and educate them, thus allowing them to grow as people and live better lives.
As such the workshop included a play, a collection of poems (both performed by the local school children) a talk from the Chief of Police. In addition to these events Projects Abroad’s very own CHRI volunteer Corinne Shepherd (see picture below) gave a speech to the audience that emphasised why child trafficking is a real and serious problem that parents should avoiding taking part of in the future. Focusing on children’s rights, child trafficking and its definition, and what is illegal in Ghana and examples.
The speech began by looking at the prevalence of Child Trafficking in Ghana and West Africa. Ms. Shepherd stated that “Roughly 39% of children in Ghana alone are involved in economic activities of which 242,074 children are carrying out hazardous child labour.” This was followed by an explanation of children’s rights, which aimed to explain that since children are vulnerable targets that need special attention and protection from their parents and the public.
With the aim of the workshop to increase the awareness of those living in a poor community within Ghana that has become targeted by those involved in the child trafficking trade. The talk was just one of the many areas that the CHRI volunteers focus on and was a good example of how the CHRI is attempting to increase the level of awareness for human rights within Ghana.
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