The Streetism and Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) project was a collaboration between CEDEP and three (3) sub-metros of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) namely; Bantama, Manhyia North and Subin.

A total of 75 children and 15 Adult Family Members (AFMs) were targeted to be reached with remediation efforts in all the three sub-metros. Two (2) electoral areas per sub-metro were selected for project implementation. Yalewa and Asem in Subin sub-metro, Moshie Zongo and South Africa in Manhyia North and Abrepo and Bohyen in Bantama sub-metro.

Twenty-three (23) children of who 15 were girls and 8 were boys were validated for support in Manhyia North, twenty-eight (28) children 14 were of who were girls and 14 were boys were deemed to be engaging in WFCL and streetism in Subin sub-metro and in Bantama sub-metro, twenty-four (24) children out of who 10 were girls and 14 were boys were identified and validated for remediation.

All the seventy-five (75) children of who 39 were girls and 36 were boys validated for remediation efforts with the exception of three (3) girls, one (1) from Subin sub-metro and two (2) from Manhyia North sub-metro who opted to learn vocational skills namely dress making, the rest wanted to return to school or remain in school.

The project also identified and trained 15 individuals as community child protection committees (CCPCs) in these electoral areas to seek and protect the interest of children in collaboration with the sub-metro administrators and key gate-keepers of these electoral areas. They were familiarized with basic concepts in child labour, WFCL, child trafficking, child work and child rights as captured in the Children’s Act (Act 560, 1998) and ILO Convention 182, basic counselling skills and the child baseline information questionnaire.

Fifteen (15) AFMs all of who are females were found to be critically vulnerable after the needs assessment of care-givers of the identified and validated ex-child labourers and street children were earmarked for lump sum support to engage in alternative livelihoods.

The rest of the 72 children (36 girls and 36 boys) who opted to remain in school or return to school were supported with school uniforms, a school bag, a pair of footwear, text books and exercise books and other learning accessories commensurate to the requirements of their level at school. 

A total number of 13 children of those in school were at the junior high school (JHS) level and the remaining number of 59 children were in lower and upper primary school level.

Journey towards Sustainability -2020 and beyond 

Due to the complexities of human and social systems, CSOs should position themselves well in an attempt to address some of the critical needs of society. CEDEP like many other CSOs need to consider sustainability as an important strategy in the context within which we work. With total dependence on donor funding which is gradually dwindling, there is the need for a sustainability strategy for CEDEP to continue its development agenda. In most cases it is difficult to make decisions about how to move forward with program after the grant period ends. These decisions have implications for the people we serve as well as the staff and other stakeholders. 

CEDEP with support from West African Civil Society Institute (WASI) developed a Sustainability strategy that sought to address 4 dimensions of sustainability: Financial, Operational, Intervention and Identity. The sustainability strategy will enable CEDEP to be more viable and visible, identify funding strategies, sustain projects for the long term while enabling stakeholders to take ownership of projects.