Perceptions of Factors Contributing to Child Labor Trafficking In Ghana: A Scoping Review

Background: Child labor trafficking (CLT) is a severe form of child maltreatment that involves the recruitment and movement of children for labor exploitation. In Ghana, CLT primarily occurs in the agriculture, fishing and mining industries. Recent national statistics of 2023-2024 indicate that 335,541 children aged 5–14 engaged in some form of work and 345,662 aged 15–17 perform hazardous labor, with agriculture, particularly cocoa and fish farming accounting for most cases. Discourse regarding contributing factors of CLT in Ghana reveal tensions between structural and socio‑cultural explanations. While much of the literature focuses on poverty, other scholars argue that cultural norms surrounding children’s work and mobility mask CLT, so that communities do not perceive these practices as exploitative. Such norms challenge dominant constructions of childhood and blur distinctions between acceptable and harmful labor. This scoping review was conducted to identify and synthesize existing evidence on the these interpretations and factors contributing to CLT. The research question developed for this study, using the PCC framework, was: What do professionals, community leaders, and community members (population) in Ghana (context) perceive as factors contributing to child labor trafficking (concept)?

Methods: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis (PRISMA). The search included three databases: APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Academic Search Premier to identify relevant articles published between 2016 and 2026. Two researchers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles using Rayyan software; resolving any conflicts through consensus meetings. Of 1139 identified references after screening, sixteen articles were included in the study. Data were extracted and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: The findings show that while CLT in Ghana is shaped by both push and pull factors, these factors operate simultaneously at the family, community, and national levels. Poverty emerged across all three levels, manifesting as low household income and limited literacy at the family and community levels, and as corruption and weak governance nationally. Another key finding relates to socio-cultural norms and practices, which were most evident at the family and community levels. The practice of informal foster care was identified as a conduit for CLT in several studies. This is seen when children were ‘sent’ to live with distant relatives or neighbours who subsequently trafficked them for labor. Many studies also identified the cultural expectations that children contribute to the household’s productivity/income, which further reinforced these dynamics. Finally, children were expected not only to work but also to be trained for work, especially by extended family members or other community adults. Also, children who did not work risked social exclusion, therefore labor participation was perceived as a marker of belonging.

Conclusion: This study reflects the broader ethos of Ubuntu in many African societies which puts forth the belief that children are viewed as belonging to the wider community, and child labor is perceived as a normal pathway of socialisation and family progression rather than exploitation. Overall, the study provides additional specific cultural insights that can inform both child‑protection practice and policy development.