Exploring the Perspectives of Child Victims and Mitigating their Psychosocial Problems Through Physical Education and Sports: A Case of Yeji, Lake Volta

Garibah Dominic, Mensah (2025) Exploring the Perspectives of Child Victims and Mitigating their Psychosocial Problems Through Physical Education and Sports: A Case of Yeji, Lake Volta. PhD thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

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Abstract

Child labour is a growing phenomenon on Volta Lake, Yeji and the victims suffer from psychosocial problems. However, knowledge about factors influencing this phenomenon in the fishing industry in Ghana is limited and the psychosocial problems of child labourers have been given less attention. This thesis examined child labour on Volta Lake by exploring the perspectives of child labour victims and mitigating their psychosocial problems through physical education and sports as a psychosocial tool. This study addressed this issue by employing a qualitative case study design, collecting textual data through face-to-face interviews with 10 active and 10 ex-child labourers, and also three separate Focus Group Discussions with those who are significant in the study. Based on the thematic data analysis, the key socioeconomic factors that have influenced household decision to support child labour were household poverty, and a large family size. Other important sociocultural factors include parental education, incapacitation or loss of the breadwinner, debt settlement and peer pressure. In addition, teamwork and cooperation in aerobics and teamwork in sports were the relevant psychosocial skills enabling child labourers to overcome their psychosocial problems of low self-esteem and social withdrawal and social isolation. Furthermore, child labour has exposed children to behavioural issues, including conduct disorders and anxiety, as well as antisocial attitudes such as aggression and disrespect. The study’s findings contribute to the growing empirical literature on child labour in the fishing industry and the field of physical education. They are also valuable for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to reduce child labour in Ghana’s fishing sector and beyond.

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