Child health and maternal labour market engagement in Ghana

Based on the assumption that mothers mainly provide childcare, this study investigates the effect of child health status on the labour force participation and weekly hours of work of mothers The study employs binary probit and negative binomial regressions estimation technique a nationally representative household survey conducted in 2012/2013 paying attention to potential endogeneity problem and sample selectivity concerns. The findings of the study indicate that child ill health motivates labour force participation but with lower working hours while the existence of health insurance reduces the need for labour force participation. These findings provide economic justification for the review of the Ghanaian Labour Laws to incorporate flexible working conditions for mothers with dependent children while managing the National Health Insurance Scheme in a sustainable manner in order to achieve improved child health and higher labour supply of mothers with dependent children.