Barclays Bank, Ghana, is assisting 'Challenging Heights', an NGO, which seeks the welfare of children, with an amount of GHC45,420, to fund the education of children involved in the worst forms of child labour.
Following the support from the bank, the NGO has placed 120 teens in literacy programmes and various skills training, such as computer and auto servicing.
Mr Benjamin Dabrah, Managing Director of Barclays bank, presented the cheque to the NGO at Sankor, a suburb of Winneba, in the Central region.
Mr Dabrah said the bank would continue supporting the NGO to assist children who are in need, and that, it has also supported some women groups in the country, including the Nadwoli Assembly Women Advocacy Group, which advocates for women's and children's rights.
The Managing Director said "as a bank we take our community responsibility very seriously, adding that, the bank had been investing in
the communities where it operates for the past 93 years".
He said Barclays provides funding and support to more than 7,000 charities and voluntary organisation worldwide.
The Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Ephram and Mr Godwill Acquah, District Social Welfare Officer warned parents that they could be prosecuted if they exploit their children.
Mr James Kofi Annan, Executive Director of the NGO thanked the bank for their kind gesture.
Mr Annan said Challenging Heights has launched a new program to support victims of child labour and child trafficking.
He said more than 24,000 children in Ghana are engaged in the worst forms of child labour each year and that the most affected children are
between the ages of 13 and 17.
Mr Annan said the assistance from Barclays will help provide psychosocial counselling and educational opportunities to the rescued children.
Mary Anforful, a beneficially, outlining her experience at the ceremony, said she was given away by her parents as a child to serve as a
domestic servant to her aunt, making it impossible for her to have formal education.
She expressed her gratitude to the NGO for coming to her aid and ensuring that she learns a skill to improve her life.