International Cocoa Initiative Steps Up Fight Against Child Labour in Cocoa Communities

International Cocoa Initiative Steps Up Fight Against Child Labour in Cocoa Communities

Source:www.dailywatchgh.com//Justice Baffour(0246-930931)

ICI Pushes for an End to Child Labour in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights, is intensifying its campaign to end child labour in Ghana’s cocoa-growing areas, where the practice remains most widespread.

Speaking during a three-day training for media practitioners in Kumasi on accurate reporting of child labour and child protection issues, ICI stressed that child labour is not only a child protection crisis but also a barrier to Ghana’s economic growth, education, and sustainable development.

Suggested Key Approaches to Ending Child Labour
1. Legislation & Enforcement

Strengthening laws against the worst forms of child labour.

Deploying labour inspectors and community watchdogs in cocoa districts.

Prosecuting offenders to serve as deterrents.
2. Education & Access to Schools

Expanding free, quality basic education in rural communities.

Supporting school feeding programmes, uniforms, and textbooks.

Promoting vocational and technical training for older children.
3. Social Protection & Poverty Reduction

Extending LEAP cash transfers to vulnerable households.

Ensuring fair cocoa prices, subsidies, and alternative livelihoods for farmers.
4. Community Awareness & Behavioural Change

Rolling out sensitization campaigns in local languages.

Strengthening child protection committees in cocoa-growing areas.

Partnering with chiefs, religious leaders, and opinion leaders to champion children’s rights.
5. Private Sector and International Partnerships

Engaging cocoa companies, NGOs, and global bodies like ILO, UNICEF, and the World Cocoa Foundation.

Promoting child-labour-free cocoa certification schemes for ethical farming.

Negative Impact of Child Labour on Ghana’s Economy

ICI cautions that failure to act decisively will deepen Ghana’s social and economic challenges:

Educational Loss → Lower literacy and widening skills gaps.

Cycle of Poverty → Families remain poor as children lack employable skills.

Health Risks → High medical costs from injuries, malnutrition, and poor child health.

Damaged International Image → Possible restrictions on cocoa exports.

Slower Development → Reduced productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness.

The Way Forward

ICI insists that ending child labour requires a multi-stakeholder approach combining strong laws, enforcement, education, poverty reduction, awareness creation, and international cooperation.

With coordinated action, Ghana can not only protect its children but also safeguard its cocoa industry and secure long-term national growth.