Right to Play Ghana, an NGO, has urged the Government to post more teachers to rural schools experiencing severe staff shortages to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
The organisation said staff attrition in some rural schools was so high that schools expected to have nine teachers were operating with as few as two, significantly affecting effective service delivery.
It is also advocating increased budgetary allocations to resource social workers adequately to enable them to follow up on child-related cases and ensure proper case closure.
Mr Julius Kwami Tsatsu, Project Manager of the My Life, My Right Project, an initiative of Right to Play Ghana, said issues of child labour persisted and stressed the need for sufficient resources, particularly for the Department of Social Welfare, to strengthen service delivery for victims.
Placing emphasis on Adansi South and Asunafo North districts, where the project is being implemented, Mr Tsatsu said each district had over 400 communities but fewer than five motorbikes to support social workers in monitoring and following up on child protection cases.
Mr Tsatsu was speaking at the Annual Learning Forum of the My Life, My Right Project held in Ejisu.
He described the situation as appalling and called for urgent action to effectively address social protection challenges in affected communities.
The My Life, My Right Project is a three-year initiative (2024–2027) sponsored by Nyankopa Cocoa in partnership with Barry Callebaut to improve the protective environment in cocoa-growing areas, promote child protection, enhance quality education and empower community members.
The project is currently being implemented in 50 communities across the Ashanti and Ahafo regions.
Held on the theme: “Strengthening Quality Education Through Child Protection and Inclusive Practices,” the forum provided an opportunity to review project achievements and strengthen partnerships among key stakeholders.
Highlighting some of the project’s achievements, Mr Tsatsu said incidents of child labour and abuse had reduced through effective community engagement, with community members now reporting cases promptly.
He said 412 trained teachers were actively applying play-based learning methods in their classrooms, supported by 100 Teacher Champions.
Additionally, 978 community members, predominantly women, have joined Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), generating more than GH₵1.6 million.
The funds are being used to expand small businesses, pay school fees and hire agricultural support services.
Mr Iljitsj Wemerman, Interim Country Director of Right to Play Ghana, urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration at all levels of government, deepen commitment to child welfare and translate dialogue into action to bridge the gap between national policy and community practice.