Journalists strengthen their knowledge to fight child labour in Ghana

KUMASI, GHANA (ILO News) – Journalists from across Ghana have strengthened their capacity to report accurately and ethically on child labour following a three-day workshop organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the ACCEL Africa project.

Held from 14 to 16 July 2026, the workshop brought together media professionals from districts where the project is active to deepen their understanding of child labour, responsible business conduct and human rights, while equipping them with practical skills to produce accurate, child-sensitive and solutions-oriented reporting.

Participants explored the root causes of child labour, particularly in the cocoa and artisanal and small-scale gold mining sectors, where children continue to perform hazardous work that threatens their health, education and future opportunities. Discussions also examined the responsibilities of businesses throughout supply chains and the role of the media in promoting informed public debate.

© Anders Johnsson/ILO

© Anders Johnsson/ILO

For many participants, the workshop challenged long-held assumptions about reporting on child labour.

"As journalists, normally you just go to the field and capture what you see," said Priscilla Jempitey of Asempa FM in Bibiani. "But I've learned that it doesn't end there. You have to think more about the ethics of it, about protecting children, and double-checking more effectively the accuracy of the story before you publish it."

The training also helped participants distinguish between child labour and child work that is appropriate for children and contributes to their development. Jempitey said the discussions prompted her to reflect on practices she had frequently observed in her own community. "It's past time we educate parents and communities about these issues so children can remain in school and have a better future, and we can help with that," she said.

Throughout the workshop, journalists worked with experts from the ILO and Ghana's Child Labour Unit in the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment Relations to strengthen their skills in ethical interviewing, child safeguarding, fact-checking, responsible use of data and identifying stories that serve the public interest. Participants also developed story ideas that they plan to pursue after the training.

For Francis Kwabena Yeboah of Future TV, the workshop reinforced the importance of ethical journalism. "I now know more about the things I should and shouldn't do when interviewing children ," he said. "I also gained a better understanding of how to capture people in pictures and videos responsibly."

The practical nature of the workshop encouraged participants to develop story pitches, receive peer feedback and explore how photographs, video and social media can be used to tell compelling stories without putting children at risk.

© Anders Johnsson/ILO

© Anders Johnsson/ILO

Ishmael Barfi of Climate Watch Africa and The New Independent said the training broadened his understanding of the links between child labour, business and human rights. "I have learned about the business and human rights aspects of child labour and the role businesses play throughout the supply chain," he said. "I can now use my platform to educate businesses and communities to help ensure children's rights are protected."

He also highlighted the connection between climate change and child labour, noting that droughts and floods can undermine livelihoods and increase children's vulnerability to labour.

The workshop forms part of the ILO's broader efforts under the ACCEL Africa project to accelerate action to eliminate child labour in the cocoa and artisanal and small-scale gold mining sectors by strengthening national systems and partnerships among government, employers' and workers' organizations, civil society and the media.

"The media is the fourth estate and plays a very critical role in ensuring people understand these issues," said Rhodalyn Gyamfua Amaning, Principal Labour Officer in Ghana's Child Labour Unit. "When journalists understand the realities of child labour and report them accurately, they help create awareness and contribute to better policy discussions."

Participants left the workshop with story ideas, stronger professional networks and continued access to technical support as they develop stories for publication and broadcast. Through informed, ethical and evidence-based reporting, they are expected to contribute to greater public awareness and support Ghana's efforts to eliminate child labour.

© Anders Johnsson/ILO

© Anders Johnsson/ILO

More about the ACCEL Africa Project

Funded by the The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the ACCEL Africa Project has the overarching goal to accelerate the elimination of child labour in Africa, through targeted actions in the cocoa, cotton, coffee, tea and gold supply chains. It adopts an innovative systems-approach to tackling child labour that moves away from project-based downstream interventions towards strengthening existing systems that are critical to tackle root causes of child labour.