Children are vulnerable, tender and small, therefore are largely dependent on adults. The future of every child to a very large extent depends on the care, facilities and opportunities they get during their childhood consequently, if children do not get what they need, they cannot grow up to become the expected worthy citizens of the country. In order to grow up properly, some basic needs are to be fulfilled as their right.
Rights of Children include the Right to food, Right to clothing, Right to Shelter, Right to education, Right to entertainment, Right to good health and proper nourishment and the right to name and country. However, the observance of some of these child rights has often become a challenge especially to most developing countries including Ghana.
This write-up is therefore going to discuss the state of child rights in Ghana, major sources of children’s right abuses, effects of these abuses and recommendations to improve the situation. The write-up will be segmented into the following sub-headings : Meaning of a child, brief History of the rights of children, the exact rights of children, International Legal and institutional Framework for the rights of children, Local Legal and institutional Framework for the Rights of children, Sources of child Rights abuse, Effects of these Abuses, Efforts made by the State so far Regarding Safeguarding the Rights of Children, major challenges to the Protection of Children’s Rights in Ghana, Ways of Dealing with these Abuses against the Rights of Children, a summary and Conclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Meaning of a Child
3. What are the rights of Children
3.1 Provision
3.2 Protection
3.3 Participation
4. International Legal and Institutional Framework for the Rights of Children
5. Local Legal and Institutional Framework for the Rights of Children in Ghana
6. Child Rights Abuse in Ghana
6.1 Child Trafficking
6.2 Street children
6.3 Child domestic workers
6.4 Child labour
6.5 Domestic Violence
6.6 Sexual Abuse
7. Effects of children’s Rights Abuse
8. Major Challenges facing the Protection of child Rights in Ghana
9. Innovative ways of Dealing with Child Rights Violations
10. Summary
11. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the current state of child rights in Ghana, analyzing the legal frameworks, prevalent forms of abuse, and the societal factors contributing to these violations, with the ultimate objective of proposing effective strategies to enhance child protection.
- Legal and institutional frameworks for child rights in Ghana.
- Common forms of child rights abuse, including trafficking, child labour, and sexual exploitation.
- Socio-economic factors and cultural practices affecting children's welfare.
- Challenges in the implementation of existing child protection laws.
- Recommended strategies for improved advocacy and enforcement of child rights.
Excerpt from the Book
Child Trafficking
Trafficking occurs internally and across borders. The elements of child trafficking are the conclusion of a transaction, the handing over of a person to a third party with or without a fee for the purpose of exploitation. The intervention of an intermediary is a common factor and the motive is to exploit. The majority of persons trafficked within the country are children, particularly girls between the ages of 7-16 years who come from northern parts of the country.
Boys aged 10-17 years are lured to the mining and coastal areas to engage in illegal mining and to become fisher children. Methods of acquiring children include the following: abduction, outright sale, bonded placement, deceit of parents or guardians and coercion (DANIDA, 2002)
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: Provides an overview of the vulnerability of children and the necessity for their basic needs to be protected by law to ensure their proper development.
Meaning of a Child: Establishes the legal definition of a child as any human being under the age of eighteen, consistent with international and Ghanaian national standards.
What are the rights of Children: Categorizes fundamental children's rights into the three key areas of provision, protection, and participation.
International Legal and Institutional Framework for the Rights of Children: Discusses the global conventions and treaties that have shaped the legal position on children's rights.
Local Legal and Institutional Framework for the Rights of Children in Ghana: Examines the specific national legislation and governmental units tasked with enforcing child protections within Ghana.
Child Rights Abuse in Ghana: Details various forms of exploitation and violations of children's rights currently persisting within the country despite legal provisions.
Effects of children’s Rights Abuse: Analyzes the short- and long-term psychological and physiological consequences of abuse on children and the broader society.
Major Challenges facing the Protection of child Rights in Ghana: Identifies the structural and resource-related barriers that impede the effective implementation of child protection laws.
Innovative ways of Dealing with Child Rights Violations: Proposes strategic improvements, including economic empowerment for families and enhanced public awareness, to better secure children's rights.
Summary: Recaps the key findings regarding the status of child rights, common violations, and the necessity for systematic improvements.
Conclusion: Argues that effective child protection requires moving beyond policy to active, trained intervention and dedicated resources to ensure a better future for Ghanaian children.
Keywords
Child Rights, Ghana, Child Trafficking, Child Labour, Domestic Violence, Human Rights, Legal Framework, Child Protection, Sexual Abuse, Social Development, Education, Advocacy, Legislation, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Socio-economic Factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this publication?
This work explores the current state of child rights in Ghana, analyzing how legal provisions interact with societal realities and where improvements are needed.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The core themes include the legal definition of children, various forms of child exploitation (like trafficking and labour), the effects of these abuses, and challenges in law enforcement.
What is the central objective of this research?
The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of current child rights protections in Ghana and provide recommendations to mitigate common forms of abuse.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied here?
The work utilizes a descriptive analysis of legal frameworks and societal issues, supported by data from international organizations, national reports, and academic perspectives.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It details the international and local legal structures, identifies specific forms of abuse, examines the devastating effects of these violations, and discusses institutional hurdles.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Child Rights, Ghana, Child Trafficking, Legal Framework, Child Protection, and Social Development.
What specifically does the author recommend regarding school curricula?
The author suggests the official inclusion of human rights as an independent discipline at all levels of education to instill a culture of rights awareness from a young age.
How does the author interpret the issue of "multiple implementation-agencies" in Ghana?
The author argues that the lack of a single, unified line of authority creates confusion and prevents the "perfect implementation" of policies, hindering overall effectiveness.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kwesi Nyarkoh Koomson (Autor:in), 2016, The rights of children in Ghana, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/340676
