CHILD LABOUR, SCHOOLING AND POVERTY: AN ANALYSIS OF GHANA’S RECENT EXPERIENCE
Date
2012-07-21
Authors
EGYEI, RICHMOND KINGSLEY
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Ghana , Legon
Abstract
In spite of the major efforts by governments in addressing the issue of children‟s
participation in the labour market, much remains to be learnt about the determinants of
child labour and schooling in Ghana. This study sought to explore the link between child
labour, schooling and poverty using data from the 2005/06 Ghana Living Standards
Survey. From a premise that child labour conflicts with the human capital accumulation
of the child, an attempt is made using a logistic model to identify the determinants of
child labour and schooling in Ghana.
The findings from the regression results established a gender gap in schooling – in favour
of girls. Child labour is found to be more of a rural phenomenon. Fathers with relatively
high levels of education were found to have a significant influence on reducing the
likelihood of child labour. Household ownership of productive assets (land and
livestock), and other household characteristics also has a significant role to play.
The result also established that children from poor households are more likely to
participate in the labour market. The corresponding relationship with schooling shows
that poverty reduces the likelihood of a child being in school. The result thus lends strong
support to the view that poverty has a big impact on child labour. General and specific
recommendations aimed at increasing school attendance and reducing child labour have
been made.