Cocoa farmers across Ghana have been urged to completely abandon child labour practices to safeguard the country’s cocoa industry from international market rejection and sustain access to premium global markets.
The call comes amid increasing scrutiny by international buyers and regulators, particularly in Europe and North America, by the European Union (EU), where cocoa imports linked to child labour or forced labour face stricter due diligence requirements.
Meanwhile, the Council of the European Union (EU) on November 19, 2024, adopted the EU Regulation, prohibiting products made with forced labour on the EU market in a regulation published in the EU’s Official Journal on December 12, 2024, marking its official enforcement, which will take effect on December 14, 2027.
Mary-Anne Kamara, the Gender and Youth Development Officer for Send Ghana, has reminded farmers that Ghana’s reputation as a leading producer of quality cocoa depends not only on bean quality but also on ethical and sustainable production practices.
She made the statement at a national dialogue on child labour in Cape Coast, a forum organized by Send Ghana, which brought together relevant stakeholders, including cocoa farmers, political authorities, officials from CHRAJ, the education sector, gender and social welfare experts, and the media.
She encouraged cocoa-growing communities to prioritize children’s education, comply with Ghana’s labour laws, and embrace sustainable farming practices that eliminate all forms of child labour.
Cocoa farmers were also urged to report cases of child exploitation and work closely with government agencies, the cocoa industry, and development partners to promote responsible cocoa production.
Ms. Richlove Amonoo, the Central Regional Gender and Social Protection Director, also remarked that guardians who expose children to hazardous work could attain an imprisonment of five (5) years, a thousand Ghana cedis fine or both if they are found guilty by the law.
She indicated that ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so farmers and parents in general must remain cautious.
Some cocoa farmers who attended the occasion equally opined that the knowledge imparted was timely, and they would advocate it to others to ensure the well-being of the children’s future.
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Source: Eric Annan /ATL FM
