CHILD RIGHTS, CHILD LABOUR AND ISLAM: THE CASE OF MUSLIMS IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS, GHANA

Abstract

The experience of Ghana shows that child labour and child rights are intricately linked and constitute a complex phenomenon. This paper interrogates the knowledge, attitude and practices of Muslims on child rights and child labour in the Tamale Metropolis. Using a participatory data collection technique; interviews and focus group discussions, the study found that Muslims have a good understanding of child rights and work tried strenuously to guide against these rights. However, despite the efforts by Muslims to uphold of the rights of the child, certain customary practices such as child fosterage, occupation skills development and poverty militate against the protection of the rights the child. The study concludes that children rights are respected by Muslims but child labour seems to be regarded as training meant to prepare the children to become responsible adults in future.