Ganzourgou: The High Commissioner of Ganzourgou Province, Aminata Sorgho/Gouba, chaired a CARAT project review workshop on March 26, 2025, in the meeting room of Zorgho town hall. This event brought together stakeholders involved in the implementation of this program, funded by the Swiss Solidarity Foundation and led by the NGO Terre des hommes (Tdh).
According to Burkina Information Agency, the project to support the prevention and fight against the worst forms of child and youth labor in artisanal and small-scale mining in Ganzourgou province (CARAT) was completed on March 26 in Zorgho. Launched in April 2023 for a period of two years, the project implemented a package of activities aimed at combating child labor in gold mining sites in Ganzourgou.
CARAT project coordinator Julienne Wanr© presented the results obtained after two years of implementation. The project identified 3,288 at-risk children on gold mining sites in the municipalities of Boudry, Meguet, and Mogt©do, and reintegrated 316 of them into the school system. In addition, 50 young people received vocational training (35 in sewing, 8 in welding, 4 in mechanics, 2 in dyeing and weaving, and 1 in masonry) to promote their empowerment. These young people received installation kits worth a total of 10,700,000 CFA francs. To strengthen families’ economic resilience, 700 women were organized into savings groups and provided support to develop income-generating activities.
In her opening address, the High Commissioner of Ganzourgou Province, Aminata Sorgho/Gouba, emphasized the importance of protecting children from work in artisanal mines. “The phenomenon of child labor compromises not only their future, but also the sustainable development of our communities,” she said. She highlighted the progress made thanks to the commitment of the authorities, technical and financial partners, and civil society organizations.
Naomi Kabor©, a project beneficiary, expressed her gratitude to Tdh: “Thanks to the awareness-raising sessions, I understood the dangers of working on artisanal gold mining sites. I chose to learn sewing and received the materials to set up my business.”
Albert Tarpaga, coordinator of the Ganzourgou child protection network, praised the project’s inclusive strategy: “We mobilized the employers of the artisanal sites themselves to raise awareness about the risks of child labor. It’s an original approach that is bearing fruit.” He also highlighted the crucial role of municipal networks and community child protection units.
Despite these advances, the issue of child labor in mines remains a concern. Ms. Wanr© emphasized the need to continue efforts to ensure the sustainability of the actions undertaken. “We must strengthen community anchoring and ensure the continuity of child monitoring and support systems,” she said.
Closing the workshop, Ms. Sorgho/Gouba expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders involved and encouraged the search for sustainable solutions to eradicate the worst forms of child labor. She urged stakeholders to continue their commitment to child protection.
The closing workshop was thus a moment of accountability for the actions implemented within the framework of the project and their positive effects. A call was made to partners and local authorities to ensure the continuity of actions for vulnerable children in Ganzourgou province.