The Assembly Member for the Maabang Electoral Area in the Ahafo-Ano North Municipality, Robertson Kwadwo Ahanu, has called on government and key cocoa sector actors to intensify community-driven action to eliminate child labour in cocoa-growing communities.
He warned that child labour remains widespread despite years of interventions, largely driven by poverty, limited access to education and weak social protection systems in rural areas.
Robertson Ahanu made the call at Maabang during the presentation of learning materials to vulnerable pupils of Maabang Presbyterian Primary and Junior High School, by the Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), under its Rights4Cocoa Project, funded by the Unifor Social Justice Fund–Canada.
The items included school bags, mathematical sets, exercise books, pens and pencils. The same set of items were also donated to the Manfo SDA primary and JHS by GLOMEF Ghana.
The Assembly Member for Maabang expressed concern that despite years of policy commitments and interventions by government, cocoa companies and development partners, child labour remains widespread in many farming communities.
“Child labour is not only a violation of children’s rights, it is a development failure that continues to affect our cocoa sector.
“Government and stakeholders must move beyond promises to implementing effective, community-driven strategies that address the root causes of the problem,” he stated.
Robertson Ahanu referenced data from UNICEF, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Ghana Statistical Service, indicating that about 21 percent of children aged 5–17 years in Ghana are engaged in child labour, with the majority involved in hazardous agricultural activities. He noted that prevalence rates are often higher in cocoa-growing communities.
While acknowledging the contributions of multi-stakeholder initiatives such as child labour monitoring systems, certification schemes and sensitisation programmes, he said progress has been uneven and insufficient to eliminate the practice.
“In communities like Maabang, poverty and lack of support for vulnerable households force children into farm work at the expense of their education.
“Interventions must therefore focus on improving household livelihoods, strengthening access to education, and promoting community ownership of child protection,” he added.
The Rights4Cocoa Project, implemented by GLOMEF, seeks to promote child rights, decent work and accountability in cocoa-growing communities through advocacy, community engagement and direct support for vulnerable children.
According to GLOMEF, the donation of learning materials is intended to remove barriers to school attendance and encourage pupils to remain in school.
Representatives of GLOMEF reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to working closely with traditional authorities, schools, parents and local government structures to tackle child labour through rights-based and community-led approaches.
“Ending child labour in cocoa communities requires collective responsibility. We must strengthen local child protection systems and ensure that children are protected, educated, and given the opportunity to thrive,” a GLOMEF representative said.
Teachers and school authorities at Maabang Presbyterian Primary and JHS described the support as timely, particularly for pupils from economically disadvantaged households and called for sustained interventions to improve learning conditions and reduce school dropouts linked to child labour.
Robertson Ahanu concluded by urging cocoa sector actors, including COCOBOD, licensed buying companies, civil society organisations and development partners, to deepen collaboration at the community level to ensure that Ghana’s cocoa is produced without the exploitation of children.
“The future of our cocoa sector depends on the well-being and education of our children. We must act now and act together,” he emphasised.
The Headteacher of Maabang Presbyterian Junior High School, Mr. Boateng James, expressed profound gratitude to GLOMEF Ghana and its funding partner, noting that the support had come at a crucial time.
“This donation will go a long way to support our vulnerable pupils and enhance teaching and learning.
“Many parents in this community are cocoa farmers with limited income, so providing these materials will reduce the burden on them and encourage children to stay focused on their education,” he said.
From Edmond Gyebi, Tepa
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