US Signs Historic Agreement with Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cocoa Industry to Address Child Labour

The U.S. Department of Labor has recently announced the signing of a significant framework of action with the governments of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and the World Cocoa Foundation to tackle the persistent issue of child labour in the West African cocoa industry. This landmark agreement is seen as a crucial step in addressing the widespread exploitation of children in the cocoa fields, particularly in the two nations that together account for nearly 60% of the world’s cocoa production.

Despite efforts to curb child labour over the years, both Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana continue to face significant challenges in eradicating this practice. The new framework aims to address the root causes of child labour by taking a comprehensive approach that involves governments, businesses, civil society, and workers. The U.S. Department of Labor emphasizes that the effort is not only about enforcement but also about addressing underlying socio-economic factors such as poverty and the lack of access to education and decent work.

The framework underscores the central role of national action plans in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which are designed to complement the overarching goal of eliminating child labour. According to Thea Lee, the Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor, this agreement highlights a collective commitment to ensuring that children are no longer forced into the cocoa fields and that families in cocoa-producing communities have the means to support themselves without resorting to child labour. Lee stressed the importance of corporate responsibility and transparency in supply chains, particularly for companies involved in cocoa production. “We are working together because we share a goal to end child labour as well as a common responsibility to improve the lives of vulnerable children, families, and workers,” Lee said.

One of the key features of the newly signed framework is its focus on addressing the root causes of child labour. These include poverty, a lack of decent work opportunities for adults, insufficient social protections, and weak corporate accountability. By tackling these issues, the initiative aims to create an environment where child labour is no longer seen as a necessity for survival.

Several key components have been outlined in the framework to address these root causes:

Expanding access to education: The framework emphasizes the need to improve access to quality education for children in cocoa-farming regions, particularly in rural areas where the practice of child labour is most prevalent. Providing children with educational opportunities is seen as a long-term solution to break the cycle of poverty and child labour.
Vocational training: In addition to formal education, the framework calls for increased investment in vocational training to equip young people with the skills necessary for decent employment opportunities, reducing the reliance on child labour in cocoa farming.
Strengthening social services: The agreement also focuses on enhancing social protections for cocoa-farming communities, including better access to healthcare, social welfare programs, and resources to improve living conditions.
Empowering women and youth: Empowering women and young workers is a crucial element in reducing child labour, as these groups often face additional barriers to economic independence. By providing women and youth with greater access to economic opportunities and resources, the framework seeks to reduce the vulnerability that often leads to the exploitation of children in the cocoa fields.
Improving child labour monitoring: The framework includes a commitment to strengthening child labour monitoring systems. This will ensure that cases of child labour are identified and addressed in a timely manner, holding all stakeholders accountable for their role in the cocoa supply chain.

A crucial element of the framework is the emphasis on collaboration. It brings together various stakeholders, including governments, cocoa producers, civil society organizations, workers, and farmers. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that all parties work together to achieve the common goal of ending child labour in cocoa farming.

The U.S. Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Jessica Davis Ba, expressed optimism about the initiative, calling it a “moment of hope and opportunity.” She highlighted the leadership of Côte d’Ivoire’s First Lady, Dominique Ouattara, whose vision and commitment to ending child labour have been instrumental in advancing this initiative.

In Ghana, U.S. Ambassador Virginia Palmer also voiced strong support for the framework, recognizing the importance of Ghana’s role as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer. She emphasized the need for the Ghanaian government to work with stakeholders to address the issue of child labour, including companies, workers, and cocoa farmers.

The framework not only seeks to eradicate child labour but also aims to improve the lives of cocoa farmers and workers. By amplifying the voices of farmers and workers and promoting regular dialogue with civil society organizations, the initiative ensures that there is greater transparency and accountability in the cocoa supply chain. This will help prevent the exploitation of vulnerable populations and foster a more ethical cocoa industry.

This agreement represents a major step forward in the fight against child labour in the cocoa industry. While challenges remain, the framework provides a structured approach to addressing the complex issues that contribute to child labour in the region. By focusing on the root causes and emphasizing collaboration among all stakeholders, the framework aims to create lasting change in the lives of cocoa-farming communities and to ensure that the rights of children are protected.

Through this partnership, the U.S., Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and the World Cocoa Foundation hope to set a new standard for the cocoa industry, one where children can grow up free from exploitation and have the opportunity to build a better future. The framework’s success will depend on continued commitment and collaboration from all parties involved, but it marks a significant step toward a more ethical and sustainable cocoa industry.