By Tokpa m. Tarnue tarnue82@gmail.com
Voinjama, Liberia- The issue about child labor, child abuse, child trafficking and other child related cases are claiming more concern amongst state actors in Liberia.
In the northwestern Lofa County, the Regional Labor Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Children Social Protection and some Civil Society Organizations at the weekend ended a meeting aimed at addressing the issue of child labor in the County.
During the meeting held at the Lofa County Regional Labor Office in Voinjama, CSOs, the Labor Office and the MOGCSP agreed to embark on a massive child labor awareness campaign across Lofa County.
According to Lofa County Regional Labor Commissioner Prince Ngombu, the awareness exercise is aim at ending child labor, child abuse, child trafficking and other related issues currently taking place in Lofa County.
Commissioner Ngombu pointed out that the issue about Child labor, child abuse and other related issues are becoming very alarming, noting it must claim the attention of every citizens of Lofa County.
He disclosed that his office in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection and the Child Welfare Committee in Lofa County are currently in consultation with Religious and Traditional leaders, the Youth, women groups, school administrators, the Media, securities, health officials and as well as community leaders to help carry on the exercise across Lofa County.
Mr. Ngombu said most of the cases received are from step-children who are said to be more victimized either by being cripple or one way of the other feel severe pain from the beating and flogging by their step-parents or guardians for refusing either to work or sell for them.
Mr. Ngombu is therefore calling on the citizens of Lofa to support the process in order to help end child labor, child abuse and other related issues about children.
He said the issue about Child labor and child abuse has become a major problem in Lofa County.
In June this year, the senior pastor of the Voinjama Dominion Christian Fellowship Center tied the hands of his 14 year old brother-in-law in the New Life Community in Voinjama, which resulting into the boy hand being paralyzed.