National committee inaugurated to tackle child labour in Ghana’s tree crops sector

A multi-stakeholder committee has been inaugurated to coordinate national efforts aimed at eliminating child labour in Ghana’s tree crops sector. 

Known as the Child Labour Implementation and Review Committee (CLIRC), the body was launched by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) under the Tree Crops Diversification Project, in collaboration with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and other key institutions.

The CLIRC brings together representatives from several ministries and agencies, including Mrs. Florence Quartey (Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection), Mrs. Esther Ofori Agyeman (Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations), Mrs. Freda Faah (Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development), Mr. Brian Tsikpor (Office of the Head of Local Government Service), Mr. Andrews Tagoe (General Agricultural Workers’ Union), and Mr. Shaibu Muniru (Ministry of Food and Agriculture).

Specialists from the TCDA on the committee include Dr. Rita Owusu Amankwah (Social Development Specialist), Ms. Annabelle Pwalia (Gender Specialist), and Mr. Kingsley Agyeman (Environmental Specialist). COCOBOD is also represented by its Social Development Specialist, Gender Specialist, Environmental Specialist, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

According to Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, the CLIRC will act as the central coordinating body to spearhead efforts in public education, stakeholder engagement, policy alignment, and the implementation of sustainable interventions.

“Combating child labour requires a collective effort. The CLIRC is not just a formality—it is a strategic engine to drive real, lasting change for vulnerable children. We must work together to secure a safe, dignified, and productive future for every child in Ghana’s agricultural value chain,” he said.

The committee’s formation is a response to worrying data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), which shows that more than 20% of children aged 5 to 14 and nearly 24 per cent of those aged 15 to 17 in Ghana are engaged in child labour, especially in agriculture.

The committee will operate in five priority regions—Bono, Bono East, Western North, Eastern, and Savannah—covering 11 high-risk districts. It has been tasked with monitoring child labour trends, coordinating public education campaigns, aligning national policies with international standards, and implementing practical interventions to protect children.

Dr. Rita Owusu Amankwah, Social Development Specialist at TCDA, stressed the importance of community involvement.

“We’re forging strong collaborations with municipal authorities, civil society groups, and community leaders. Public education, stakeholder commitment, and consistent engagement are at the heart of the CLIRC’s strategy,” she stated.

COCOBOD’s Sena Yawa Tabbicca, also a social development expert, praised the initiative, saying: “This committee couldn’t have come at a better time. The protection of children must be central to Ghana’s agricultural future, and this is a significant leap toward that goal.”

The CLIRC will also support farmer training programmes, facilitate school enrolment campaigns, and promote social protection schemes targeting vulnerable families. It is also expected to advise on child-friendly agricultural practices and act as a watchdog for child welfare across the sector.

The launch is seen as a step forward in Ghana’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, which calls for the end of child labour in all its forms.