News
‘2 c’nities identified as hotspots for child labour in Bono’
Kwatiri and Adentia, two farming communities in the Sunyani West Municipality, have been identified as hotspots for child labour in the Bono Region.
The areas are also a hotbed for teenage pregnancies and school dropouts among children under 18 years, necessitating traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals to join hands to tackle the challenges.
The Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Senior Programme Officer for General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) of TUC, Paschal Ajongba Kaba disclosed these on the sidelines of the inauguration of a 14-member committee setup by GAWU to spearhead a campaign against child labour in the two communities, to mark this year’s World Day Against Child Labour, at Kwatiri.
Although Mr Kaba could not provide statistics to back his claim, he noted that efforts were underway to implement programmes and policies geared towards eliminating the child labour and teenage pregnancy in the three regions.
He stated that child labour was very high in mining and cocoa producing communities, and called on all stakeholders, especially parents, to play their part to address the issue.
The Regional Senior Programme Officer for GAWU of TUC said his outfit had taken upon itself to help minimize child labour by creating a Child Labour Free Zone in the country.
The Chairman of one of the Committees, who is also the Krontihene of Adantia, Nana Kwame Boakye, said the was urgent need to tackle child labour and teenage pregnancy as they continued to affect development.
A teacher at Kwatiri, M/A School, Alex Appau, noted that some primary (class) six and Junior High School (JHS) students dropped out of school and found themselves in ‘child labour and pregnancy,’ due to financial constraints..
World Day Against Child Labour focuses on the negative impact of child labour. Globally, it is estimated 151 million children are involved in child labour with about 71 percent in the agriculture sector.
FROM: DANIEL DZIRASAH, ODUMASE
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for the immediate release of Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, accusing the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) of abusing its powers in the conduct of investigations against him.
In a press statement dated February 11, 2026, and signed by Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Caucus described the actions of the NIB as “unacceptable” and politically motivated.
According to the statement, the issue began on February 3, 2026, when the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, wrote to the Director-General of the NIB.
In the letter, he requested an investigation into an allegation reportedly made by Mr. Ofosu Nkansah on Sompa Radio 106.5.
The allegation suggested that an individual had paid money to secure a scholarship to study abroad. The letter further directed the NIB to submit its findings.
The Minority said Mr. Ofosu Nkansah was first invited to the NIB office on February 5, 2026, to assist with investigations.
He reportedly honoured the invitation and appeared with his lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South.
After the meeting, he was allowed to go home without being charged.
However, the Caucus said the NIB invited him again on February 9, while he was in Kumasi visiting his seriously ill father.
According to the statement, he informed the Bureau that he could not report immediately due to his father’s condition and requested to appear on February 11 instead.
The Minority claimed the NIB insisted he report earlier.
The statement further alleged that when Mr. Ofosu Nkansah reported to the NIB, heavily armed officers took him to his residence to conduct a search and later returned him to the NIB office at Nima in Accra.
The Minority Caucus questioned the need for what it described as “forcible actions,” especially when, in its view, Mr. Ofosu Nkansah had been cooperative.
It also claimed that his rights were infringed upon and alleged that he had been taken to an unknown location without access to his legal counsel.
“As far as we know, Mr. Ofosu is at an unknown location,” the statement said, adding that the situation was worrying.
The Caucus argued that such actions could undermine Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law. It maintained that investigations should be conducted in a civil and lawful manner.
The Minority also linked the incident to what it described as broader national concerns, including delays in payments to cocoa farmers, unemployment and the rising cost of living.
It urged the government to focus its attention on addressing these economic challenges instead.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has announced that it will soon begin issuing licences for the cultivation of cannabis strictly for medicinal and industrial purposes in Ghana.
In a press statement dated February 11, 2026, the Commission said the move follows Parliament’s approval of the regulatory and cost framework to operationalise the licensing regime.
The framework allows for the controlled cultivation, processing and use of cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.3 per cent.
NACOC explained that the licences will be granted only to qualified entities that meet strict requirements.
According to the Commission, applicants must have strong security protocols, product traceability systems, quality assurance standards, and must fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
It cautioned prospective applicants to deal directly and exclusively with the Commission through its Cannabis Regulations Department (CRD).
It also warned the public to avoid individuals, groups or associations claiming they can facilitate the licensing process. The Commission stressed that applicants must follow only the officially approved procedures and guidelines.
NACOC reiterated that the recreational use of cannabis remains illegal in Ghana.
It noted that the new licensing regime applies only to cannabis with THC content not exceeding 0.3 per cent and strictly for medicinal and industrial use.
The Commission said it will work closely with the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority to ensure effective implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the framework.
NACOC said it remains committed to protecting public health and safety while supporting lawful innovation and industrial development in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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