Kade, Sept. 21, GNA- Twenty-nine children in the Kwaebibrem district who were saved from child labour were on Friday presented with tools to facilitate their acquisition of skills at a ceremony at Kade. Under a programme sponsored by the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Kwaebibirem District Assembly, a total of 300 children were withdrawn from child labour activities mainly in agriculture and mining in 10 communities of the district.

About 271 of such children were put in school with another 29 being made to choose a trade such as dressmaking, hairdressing, auto welding, masonry and fitting.

Ten hairdryers, 12 singer sewing machines, five singer foot machines and masonry and welding tools were distributed to the former child labourers made up of 22 girls and seven boys.

Mr Samuel Kangah, General Secretary of GAWU, said the remaining 271 who were placed in various schools in the district would also receive their school uniforms, shoes, school bags, books, pen and pencils within two weeks.

He announced that plans were in place to train parents of the children in livelihood trades of their choice. Mr Kangah advised the apprentices to be committed to their various trades and be humble and respect their masters to become great tradesmen and women.

He told them that the tools presented to them would continue to be the property of the project until they successfully complete their training.

The General Secretary advised them to work very hard for their own future development.

Mr Kangah congratulated parents and guardians present for encouraging their children to learn a trade.

He used the occasion to appeal to the government not to sell the Agricultural Development Bank to foreign interests since one could not be sure of their commitment to the cause of farmers and rural workers. The District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Raymond Gbetoa, advised the apprentices to study hard, be respectful and show high level of discipline.