Right To Play Ghana says its “My Life, My Rights” (MLMR) and “My Rights, My Future”(MRMF) projects are delivering measurable impact in the fight against child labour by strengthening education systems, improving referrals, and empowering vulnerable households.

The projects, supported by Barry Callebaut and the European Commission, are being implemented in cocoa-growing and fishing communities to address systemic drivers of child labour.

Speaking at the national stakeholder engagement in Accra, Project Manager of the MLMR initiative, Julius Kwame Tsatsu, revealed that economic empowerment interventions under the project are already yielding results.

“In just six months, the Village Savings and Loans Associations have mobilised over one million Ghana cedis and disbursed more than 900,000 cedis in loans to members,” he said, explaining that the initiative is designed to ease household poverty and reduce children’s vulnerability.

He added that the project is being implemented in 15 communities across the Ashanti and Ahafo regions, combining quality education support with child protection structures at the community level.

Child Protection and Psychosocial Support Specialist at Right To Play Ghana, Olivia Ziem Tizaayel, stressed that the intervention goes beyond awareness creation.

“The projects seek to strengthen district capacity to ensure referred children get the support they need,” she said.

She further noted that while reporting of child protection concerns has improved, systemic gaps persist.

“Projects do end, but child labour issues don’t end,” she cautioned, calling for stronger coordination and sustained government ownership.

Also, the Principal Programmes Officer at the Ministry of Education, Isaac Attah Baah, highlighted structural challenges affecting rural schools.

He noted that teacher shortages remain a concern and suggested that postings be decentralised to district directors to improve responsiveness to local needs.

Stakeholders at the engagement emphasised that sustained collaboration between communities, government institutions and development partners is essential to protecting children and ensuring long-term impact.

The meeting brought together representatives from key ministries and agencies to review progress and align strategies going forward.