The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has pledged to deploy more strategies aimed at eliminating worse forms of Child Labour (WFCL) especially in cocoa growing areas in the country.<\/p>\n
This, according to the organisation, will augment government\u2019s efforts in the fight against child labour in Ghana.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”F0zHhc7qOVbiNlfuxidheGEfCeHRrAwM”]The organisation, which works with the cocoa industry, civil societies, farmers\u2019 organisations, international organisations and national governments in cocoa-producing countries, said it is committed to ensuring a better future for children and to advance the elimination of child labour.<\/p>\n
The ICI is targeting to protect one million children within cocoa growing communities in Ghana and Cote d\u2019Ivoire against child labour by 2020.<\/p>\n
ICI has been engaging with some farmers in Cocoa growing communities in the Western Region, who have also pledged their support to fight against child labour in the country.<\/p>\n
The farmers have begun mobilizing themselves and are intensifying awareness in cocoa growing areas where the practice is rife.<\/p>\n
Most of the farmers who were unaware of the consequences of the practice, are beginning to desist from it.<\/p>\n
Cocoa farmers from Kofi krom, Kramokrom, Nyame Nnae, Ankra Muano and Abonse, all in the Western Region, said they are making strides in the fight against child labour in cocoa production.<\/p>\n
According to the farmers, child labour issues have reduced in their respective communities with the setting up of Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs).<\/p>\n
Abanga Mordecai, a teacher at the Abonse M\/A primary school in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality narrated how child labour issues affected enrollment at the school.<\/p>\n
He said an intervention by ICI to build the capacities of members of the CCPCs to enable them create awareness, and also monitor child labour issues in their areas has yielded positive results.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen ICI came to us, they made us understand that it is the right of the child to go to school no matter the condition. So we should embark on a campaign to educate the parents how dangerous it is when the child is involved in farming and the labour work that is beyond the child\u2019s strength. Before 2015, our school enrollment was about 90 from K.G 1 up to class six. But right now we can boast of 200 students because of the intervention by the ICI\u201d.<\/p>\n
A female cocoa farmer from Ankra Muano, Lydia Adu, said the intervention has helped in the reduction of child labour in cocoa production.<\/p>\n
She said most of the children are now enlightened on child labour issues and are not allowing parents to use them on cocoa farms to the detriment of their education.<\/p>\n
At a three-day child labour training for selected journalists and a talk shop with cocoa growing communities in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality of the Western Region, Communication Specialist at the Cocoa International Initiative (ICI), Irene Ofosu-Ennin, urged the media to report more on child labour issues.<\/p>\n
She indicated that, because child labour is a social issue, the ICI has employed awareness raising strategies to empower the community members who will also educate other farmers on the dangers of child labour.<\/p>\n
Ms. Ofosu-Ennin said ICI will continue to improve the lives of children in cocoa growing communities, safeguard their rights and contribute to the elimination of child labour.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
By: Hafiz Tijani\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has pledged to deploy more strategies aimed at eliminating worse forms of Child Labour (WFCL) especially in cocoa growing areas in the country. This, according to the organisation, will augment government\u2019s efforts in the fight against child labour in Ghana. [contextly_sidebar id=”F0zHhc7qOVbiNlfuxidheGEfCeHRrAwM”]The organisation, which works with the cocoa industry, civil […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[4056,3,1567],"yoast_head":"\n