Restoring Childhoods
Protecting Children from Child Labour and Trafficking on the Volta Lake
For many children living along the Volta Lake, childhood is overshadowed by dangerous work instead of education, play, and family life. Poverty, trafficking, and weak child protection systems have left many children vulnerable to exploitation in the fishing industry.
CPA UK successfully implemented a child labour elimination initiative in Kpando-Torkor in the Volta Region of Ghana, working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and the Child Protection Unit of the Ghana Police Service. The operation identified and rescued 43 children who had been subjected to hazardous child labour on the Volta Lake. Investigations revealed that several of the children had been trafficked from neighbouring communities and across the border from Togo, where they had been deceived or sold into forced labour within the fishing industry.
The Reality of Child Labour on the Volta Lake
The rescued children endured dangerous and physically demanding labour in the fishing industry on Ghana’s Volta Lake. Instead of attending school, they worked long hours in harsh and exploitative conditions. Their duties included diving underwater to free trapped fishing nets, pulling heavy nets, rowing canoes over long distances, and sorting, cleaning, carrying, and processing fish. They also repaired nets, prepared equipment, and loaded heavy fishing gear. Many worked from early morning until late evening with little rest or care. Denied adequate food, healthcare, education, and emotional support, they suffered exhaustion, trauma, and harm, losing their rights, dignity, safety, and childhood.
These hazardous activities placed children at constant risk of drowning, injury, exhaustion, infections, and psychological trauma.
Supporting Recovery and Reintegration
Following their rescue, each child received an individual needs assessment to identify the support required for their recovery and long-term wellbeing. CPA UK rehabilitation programme provided immediate protection through placement in temporary safe shelters, where the children received medical care, counselling, and trauma-informed psychosocial support from trained professionals.
Family tracing and assessments were carried out to ensure that reunification was safe and in the child’s best interests. Once appropriate safeguards were in place, the children were successfully reintegrated into their families and communities, with continued support for school re-enrolment and access to education.
This comprehensive approach helped the children recover from the physical and emotional effects of exploitation while giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive environment. Working with the Child Protection Unit of the Ghana Police Service, investigations led to the arrest of three (3) fishermen and individuals involved in exploiting children within the fishing sector.
Project Sustainability
The success of this intervention demonstrates the importance of collaboration between civil society, government agencies, law enforcement, and local communities in protecting vulnerable children.
Today, some of the children who once spent their days risking their lives beneath the waters of the Volta Lake have returned to school, reunited with their families, and begun rebuilding their futures. Their recovery is a powerful reminder that with timely intervention, compassionate support, and strong partnerships, children can overcome exploitation and reclaim their right to safety, education, and hope.
