Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) Dr. Joseph Wemakor has emphasized the urgent need for collective action in the battle against child and forced labour during a pivotal capacity-building workshop.
“Together, we can secure a brighter future for our children,” he proclaimed as he kicked off the event for over 30 dedicated participants at the Masanita Royal Hotel in the Asante Akyem Agogo community, Ashanti Region of Ghana, on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The workshop, themed “Combating Child and Forced Labourthrough Video Verification Techniques,” aimed to empower attendees with essential skills to utilize video technology effectively in their advocacy efforts.
Dr. Wemakor spoke passionately about the alarming prevalence of child labour and its devastating impacts on children, families, and communities, underscoring the necessity for innovative and united strategies.
Adding to the conversation, Edem Damanka, Executive Director of Edmark Rescue Foundation, highlighted the importance of community engagement in addressing the issue, stating,
We must empower our communities to recognize the signs of child labour and work together to create lasting change. Only through collective efforts can we protect our children and ensure a better future.”
One of the workshop’s highlights was a session led by an expert facilitator Kwame Adarkwah Yiadom, who highlighted geo-mapping technology and advanced photo and video verification techniques.
Mr. Yiadom demonstrated how this innovative tool can authenticate videos, ensuring that reports of child and forced labour are credible and evidence-based.
Attendees learned how to track the location, time, and context of recorded videos, significantly enhancing their advocacy and monitoring capabilities.
The training facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas among participants, who shared various perspectives on effectively addressing child and forced labour within their communities.
Many expressed their commitment to creating a collaborative network aimed at eradicating child labour, which would serve as a valuable platform for sharing resources and best practices.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Vincent, a reporter from Asempa Radio, praised the organizers for the insightful program and highlighted the necessity of regular training sessions.
“If this can happen about three or four times a year, it would be very helpful,” he commented.
Additionally, journalist Miss Adepa Yalley noted, “It’s been incredibly impactful, and I will implement everything I learned.
The knowledge gained will significantly support the fight against child labour in our community.”
The workshop underscored the importance of united efforts in combating child and forced labour.
HRRG’s innovative approach to integrating video verification techniques received significant praise and demonstrated promising potential to enhance the fight against these social injustices.
Looking ahead, HRRG plans to strengthen the newly formed stakeholder network and assist participants in applying digital verification techniques in their respective regions.
The event was made possible through generous funding from WITNESS, a global human rights organization dedicated to empowering individuals to leverage video and technology for human rights protection.
This initiative stems from Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor’s selection for the ‘Fortifying the Truth Cohort’ by WITNESS, where he participated in intensive training in community-based digital verification techniques in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 29 to 31, 2024.