{
  "id": 3974101,
  "title": "Community education to tackle child labour in cocoa-growing areas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/community-education-to-tackle-child-labour-in-cocoa-growing-areas",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/community-education-to-tackle-child-labour-in-cocoa-growing-areas/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Child labour remains a pressing issue in Ghana's cocoa-growing communities, with economic hardship, limited educational opportunities, and insufficient knowledge of child labour laws leaving many children vulnerable to exploitative work. At a National Dialogue on Child Labour in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector, organised by SEND Ghana with support from DKA Austria, experts called for stronger community education, better enforcement of child protection laws, and increased investment in education and livelihoods to combat this problem. A study by NORC for the U.S. Department of Labor found that 1.56 million children in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire were engaged in child labour during the 2018/19 cocoa season, with 55 percent of children aged five to 17 in agricultural households involved in cocoa-related child labour, and 51 percent engaged in hazardous work.\n\nFor cocoa farmer Sarah Andoh, addressing child labour requires creating an environment where education is attractive and beneficial for children. She and her husband have ensured all their ten children attend school, a decision aimed at shielding them from the hardships they have faced. Andoh stressed that education provides young people with the chance to forge a different path, away from the burdensome adult responsibilities often imposed on them. Janet Adama, Board Chair and Acting Chief Executive Officer of SEND Ghana, emphasised that children deserve a childhood, free from the premature responsibilities and adult obligations that child labour can impose. She cautioned against pushing children into adulthood through work and responsibilities that infringe on their right to education, development, and childhood. Adama stressed that community education is crucial in informing parents, farmers, and community leaders about the dangers of child labour and the importance of keeping children in school.\n\nKwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, Member of Parliament for the Keta Constituency, called for a review of Ghana’s existing legal framework on child protection, with the aim of identifying gaps and enhancing measures to safeguard children from exploitation and hazardous work. The concerns raised at the dialogue underscore the interplay between poverty, access to education, community awareness, and child protection. While legislation is vital in addressing child labour, speakers stressed the importance of community understanding and active support for laws safeguarding children. The dialogue also shed light on the responsibility of parents and communities to ensure children remain in school and develop their potential. SEND Ghana, with over 26 years of experience in promoting good governance, equity, and livelihood security, called for stronger and coordinated measures to protect children in cocoa-growing communities. The organisation believes that sustained community education, robust legal protection, and improved socio-economic conditions can reduce children's exposure to hazardous work and foster safer environments for children to grow and learn.\n\nThe National Dialogue on Child Labour in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector aims to bolster the national conversation on child labour and promote practical measures that prioritise children's education, safety, and well-being. This initiative seeks to transform cocoa-growing communities into safer places where children can thrive both in and out of the classroom.",
  "summary": "By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei Economic hardship, limited access to education and inadequate knowledge of child labour laws are leaving many children in Ghana’s cocoa-growing communities vulnerable to harmful work. The issue came to the fore at a National Dialogue on Child Labour in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector, organised by SEND Ghana with support from DKA […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}