Cargill, ICI equip 111 youth with vocational skills to tackle child labour
Cargill Ghana, in partnership with the International Cocoa Initiative, has equipped young people in cocoa-growing communities in the Western North Region with entrepreneurial and vocational skills to reduce their vulnerability to child labour and promote financial independence.
Cargill Ghana and the International Cocoa Initiative have teamed up to equip 111 young people from cocoa-growing communities in the Western North Region with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, aiming to reduce their susceptibility to child labor and foster financial independence. The graduates, comprising 75 females and 36 males, have completed various apprenticeship courses in auto mechanics, carpentry, tailoring, baking, welding, dressmaking, and glass fabrication.
This initiative is a component of Cargill Ghana's Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System, supported by the International Cocoa Initiative. The latest batch of graduates marks a total of 171 young people who have benefited from the apprenticeship program since its launch. Each of the 111 recent graduates received starter tools to help them transform their newfound skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Max Essoh Latte, the Managing Director of Cargill Ghana, emphasized the importance of providing young individuals with practical skills and opportunities to establish stable livelihoods. He also highlighted the potential of having a multitude of beneficiaries, each with their own five apprentices, as a means to address child labor effectively.
Mike Arthur, the Country Director of the International Cocoa Initiative, believes that fostering vocational and economic prospects for young people can diminish their vulnerability to child labor while bolstering families and cocoa-growing communities. Arthur called upon the beneficiaries to utilize their acquired skills and contribute to their communities' development.
Samuel Apana, Cargill Ghana's Sustainability Operations Manager, stated that the company's dedication extends beyond cocoa production to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector. Apana acknowledged the young graduates as integral contributors to the cocoa sector and stressed the significance of investing in both their skill development and community advancement.
Beneficiary Freda Anane expressed that the program has imparted more than just vocational training; it has provided her with a route to self-sufficiency.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
