Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Ghana (Ratification: 1957)

The Committee has noted the information provided by the Government in reply to its earlier comments and, in particular, the Government’s explanations concerning the freedom of civil servants to leave the service.

1. The Committee previously noted the establishment of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and asked for information on its practical activities concerning the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, including the protection against the illegal exaction of forced or compulsory labour, in particular as regards the Trokosi system practised in some parts of the Volta region, where young girls of about 10 years of age are pledged into perpetual bondage to serve fetish shrines in atonement of offences allegedly committed by their relatives. The Committee has noted the Government’s indications in its latest report concerning a nationwide educational and awareness campaign led by the CHRAJ in the field of human rights and, with specific reference to the Trokosi system, the CHRAJ’s activities, in collaboration with other governmental and non-governmental agencies, which have secured the release and emancipation of many of the bonded labourers. It has also noted with interest the information on the adoption of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 1998 (No. 554), which contains provisions criminalizing any form of ritual or customary servitude or any form of forced labour related to a customary ritual.

The Committee requests the Government to supply, with its next report, a copy of Act No. 554, which is referred to by the Government as attached to its report, but appears not to have been received in the ILO. Please also provide information on the application of Act No. 554 in practice, including information on any legal proceedings which may have been instituted as a consequence of the exaction of any form of forced labour or servitude, in relation to the Trokosi system, and on any penalties imposed. Please also supply copies of the CHRAJ’s annual reports, to which reference is made in the Government’s report.

2. The Committee has noted the Government’s explanations concerning the use of convict labour. The Government has reiterated the fact that the arrangements under which prisoners are hired out to work in agricultural undertakings have been stopped. According to the report, the Government has established a number of prison settlement farms, which are managed by the Ghana Prison Service. The Government states that, as regards convict labour, its policy is to effect changes in prisons in order to conform with the requirements of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide, in its future reports, information on the practical application of the arrangements regarding the use of convict labour.

3. In addition, the Committee has been made aware of allegations of trafficking of women to work either as prostitutes in Europe or illegally work in menial jobs in the Middle East. The Committee hopes that in its response to the Committee’s general observation of last year the Government will deal with this question and supply information on any legislation or programmes to combat the trafficking in persons.