Stakeholders Unite to Eradicate Child Labour in Cocoa and Gold Mining: Codesult Leads Multi-Sector Dialogue

Stakeholders Unite to Eradicate Child Labour in Cocoa and Gold Mining: Codesult Leads Multi-Sector Dialogue

Consult leads action to protect children from exploitation in Cocoa and gold mining communities

Bibiani & Wassa Akropong, Ghana – As part of ongoing efforts to eliminate child labour in Ghana’s cocoa and gold mining sectors, Codesult Network, a civil society organization, has held two major stakeholder engagements in Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai and Wassa Amenfi East Municipalities.

The events, aimed at reinforcing the campaign against child labour, brought together local authorities, community leaders, educationists, civil society actors, and health professionals to deliberate on sustainable solutions and progress under the ongoing intervention project.

Opening the dialogue, Mr. John Ntori, Accounts Officer at Codesult, noted that the meeting was designed to update stakeholders on the current status of project implementation and to foster collaborative support toward achieving its objectives.

He highlighted the legal framework protecting children in Ghana, referencing Article 28 of the 1992 Constitution, which safeguards children from work that endangers their health, education, or development. He further cited key legal and international instruments including:

The Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560)

The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Sustainable Development Goal 8, which targets the elimination of all forms of child labour by 2025.

In a participatory discussion session, Mr. Ebenezer Somiah, Project Coordinator, emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of child labour through evidence-based strategies, community empowerment, and livelihood improvements for vulnerable households. He quoted Nigerian journalist Ekaete Ibout, stating, “A child is meant to learn, not to earn.”

Mr. Somiah revealed that five communities in each municipality were selected for the pilot phase. In Bibiani-Ahwiaso-Bekwai, these include Ntakam, Nsuontem, Beposo, Nkatieso, and Aboduabo, while Abeneso, Adonoi, Gyedua, Dawurampong, and Nsuopong were chosen in Wassa Amenfi East.

A key moment in the program was a plenary session led by Mr. Godfred Ampaw, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. Participants called on traditional authorities, Municipal Assemblies, and school leaders to enact and enforce bye-laws, intensify public education on responsible parenting, and create youth employment opportunities.

Representing the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and Coordinating Director, Mr. Douglas Danso, Municipal Planning Officer, expressed gratitude to Codesult, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and ACCEL Africa. He appealed for additional funding to expand the project to more communities struggling with child labour.

Prominent dignitaries present at the event included:

Mr. Joshua Addae, Director I

Mrs. Gloria Williams, Ghana Education Service

Mrs. Martha Nneka, National Commission for Civic Education

Mr. Eric Ntiamoah, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice

Also in attendance were:

Mr. George Ahasu, Labour Department

Mrs. Rosemary Asante, Gender Desk Officer

Ms. Gloria Gyabeng, Social Development Officer

Mr. Richard Odame, National Health Insurance Scheme

Mr. Emmanuel Oteng Krah, Ghana Health Service

The engagement is part of a broader nationwide push to ensure children are protected, educated, and empowered to realize their full potential, free from the dangers of exploitative labour.