Tackling child labour in cocoa

The launch of the Advancing Rights and Combating Child Labour in Cocoa Value Chains in Ghana (ARCCLG) project in Goaso is a timely and commendable intervention in the long-running fight against child labour in cocoa-growing communities. 

With a £100,000 investment targeting districts in the Bono and Ahafo regions (See page 22), the initiative signals renewed resolve by civil society and development partners to confront a problem that has persisted despite years of policy attention and international scrutiny.

Child labour in cocoa production remains one of the most troubling contradictions in Ghana’s development story.

As one of the world’s leading cocoa producers, alongside Côte d’Ivoire, the country continues to grapple with the reality that many of the children in cocoa-growing communities are engaged in hazardous work.

Carrying heavy loads, handling sharp tools and exposure to agrochemicals are not only harmful to their health but also rob them of their right to education and a secure future.

The ARCCLG project’s focus on awareness creation, community engagement and capacity-building is therefore well placed.

By targeting nearly 3,000 schoolchildren and reaching an estimated 60,000 people through sensitisation campaigns, the initiative recognises that child labour is both a legal issue and deeply rooted social and economic challenge.

The Daily Graphic considers the inclusion of community-based child protection mechanisms, such as the reactivation of COMBAT teams, as particularly important in strengthening grassroots responses where they matter most.

Equally significant is the emphasis on training cocoa farmers and cooperatives in responsible sourcing and child labour prevention practices.

For too long, the burden of addressing child labour has been placed disproportionately on vulnerable households without sufficient support to change their circumstances.

Farmers, many of whom operate under tight economic constraints, must be equipped with viable alternatives and incentives to adopt ethical practices.

Without addressing the underlying poverty that drives families to rely on child labour, progress will remain limited.

However, while the project is laudable, we think its one-year duration raises legitimate concerns about sustainability.

Child labour is not a problem that can be resolved within a short project cycle.

It requires sustained investment, consistent monitoring and long-term behavioural change.

The real test will be whether the gains made under this initiative can be maintained and scaled up beyond March 2027.

The role of government, therefore, cannot be overstated.

The country’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights provides a solid framework, but implementation has often lagged behind ambition.

Stronger coordination between district assemblies, social welfare departments and law enforcement agencies is essential to ensure that child protection systems are not only established but remain functional and responsive.

Moreover, corporate actors within the cocoa value chain must be held accountable.

The global demand for ethically sourced cocoa continues to grow, and companies that benefit from Ghana’s cocoa industry have a responsibility to ensure that their supply chains are free from exploitation.

Transparency, traceability and fair pricing mechanisms must become standard practice.

The involvement of the media, as envisaged under the project, is another critical component.

Ethical and sustained reporting on child labour can help keep the issue in the public eye, influence policy decisions and hold stakeholders accountable.

However, this must be done with sensitivity to protect the dignity and rights of affected children.

The Daily Graphic is of the conviction that ultimately, the fight against child labour in cocoa-growing areas is a shared responsibility.

Government, civil society, traditional authorities, communities and international partners must work in concert to address both the symptoms and root causes of the problem.

Education, social protection and economic empowerment must go hand in hand if Ghana is to break the cycle of poverty that perpetuates child labour.

The ARCCLG project offers a valuable opportunity to make measurable progress.

But beyond the launch and the funding commitments, what is required is unwavering commitment, sustained action and a clear vision for lasting change.

Only then can we truly safeguard the rights and future of our children while preserving the integrity of the cocoa industry.