Empowering Voices Against Child and Forced Labour: HRRG workshop in Asante Akyem Agogo enlightens journalists, activists

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a vibrant media and human rights advocacy group, hosted a transformative one-day workshop in the Asante Akyem Agogo community in Ghana’s Western Region. The event aimed to empower journalists and activists in the critical fight against child and forced labour. Held at the elegant Masanita Royal Hotel on January 17,...

Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a vibrant media and human rights advocacy group, hosted a transformative one-day workshop in the Asante Akyem Agogo community in Ghana’s Western Region.

The event aimed to empower journalists and activists in the critical fight against child and forced labour.

Held at the elegant Masanita Royal Hotel on January 17, 2025, the workshop attracted over 30 dedicated participants, including journalists, human rights advocates, representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and community leaders.

Themed “Combating Child and Forced Labour through Video Verification Techniques,” the workshop focused on equipping attendees with essential skills to effectively utilize video technology in their advocacy efforts.

Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of HRRG, opened the session with a compelling overview of the child labour crisis, highlighting its alarming prevalence and devastating impact on children, families, and society.

He underscored the urgent need for collective action, sharing striking statistics and poignant real-life stories that illustrated the severity of the issue.

“Innovative solutions are vital for addressing this pressing challenge,” he asserted.

Executive Director Edem Damanka of the Edmark Rescue Foundation added even more depth to the conversation by stressing the value of community involvement. “We must empower our communities to recognize the signs of child labour and work together to create lasting change,” he stated. “Only through collective efforts can we protect our children and ensure a brighter future.”

Kwame Darkwah Yiadom, an accomplished facilitator, led one of the workshop’s highlights. He introduced participants to advanced photo and video verification techniques, focusing on geo-mapping technology.

Yiadom demonstrated how this innovative tool can authenticate videos, ensuring that reports of child and forced labour are credible and evidence-based.

Participants learned to track the location, time, and context of recorded videos, significantly enhancing their advocacy and monitoring capabilities.

The training fostered dynamic discussions, with participants exchanging diverse perspectives on effective strategies to combat child and forced labour in their communities.

Many expressed their commitment to forming a collaborative network dedicated to eradicating child labour, creating a platform for resource sharing, strategies, and best practices.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Vincent, a reporter from Asempa Radio, praised the organizers for the insightful program and highlighted the need for regular training sessions to empower community members in identifying and reporting child labour cases.

“If this could occur three or four times a year, it would be incredibly beneficial,” he remarked. Journalist Miss Adepa Yalley echoed this sentiment, stating, “This training has been extremely impactful, and I will implement everything I learned.

The knowledge gained will significantly support our fight against child labour in our community.”

The workshop underscored the importance of united efforts in tackling child and forced labour.

HRRG’s innovative approach to integrating video verification techniques received widespread acclaim, showing promising potential to enhance the fight against these social injustices.

Looking ahead, HRRG is committed to strengthening the newly formed network of stakeholders and supporting participants in implementing digital verification techniques in their respective regions.

This initiative was made possible through generous funding from WITNESS, a global human rights organization dedicated to empowering individuals to leverage video and technology for the protection of human rights.

This workshop marks a significant step in the ongoing battle against child and forced labour, emphasizing the power of community engagement and innovative strategies in creating lasting change.

 

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