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Under the Ghana Children Act 1998, the minimum age for admission of children into employment is fifteen (15). However, children may be employed at the age of thirteen (13) to do light work. The minimum age for engagement of persons in hazardous work is eighteen (18).
Are employers’ allowed to engage children in hazardous work?
No. Employers are not allowed to engage children in exploitative labour which deprives children of education, healthcare and development.
Can I, as an employer, engage children in night work?
No. Employers are not supposed to engage children in night work.
What are some of the hazardous work that employers should not engage children in?
Under no circumstances are children allowed to do the following hazardous work:
- Going to sea
- Mining and quarrying
- Porterage of heavy loads
- Work in manufacturing industries where chemicals are produced
- Work in places where machines are used
- Work in places such as bars, hotels and places of entertainment where a person may be exposed to immoral behaviour
What will be the consequences if an employer allows children to do hazardous work?
Any employer who contravenes this provision shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding GHc1000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
Employment of Young Persons
A young person is a person of or above 18 years of age but below 21 years. Young persons are not allowed to work in an underground mine.
Can an employer employ a young person without medical certification of the person’s health?
No. An employer shall not employ a young person unless a medical practitioner has certified that the young person is in good health and medically fit for the work.
What is expected of an employer who employs young persons?
Every employer is expected to keep a register of young persons employed by him or her and their dates of birth or their apparent ages.
What is the consequence of engaging young persons in underground mine work?
An employer who engages young persons in underground mine work commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units.
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