STATEMENT BY THE GHANA COCOA BOARD (COCOBOD) ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR 2026

Date: 12th June 2026

Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) joins the international community in commemorating the 2026 World Day against Child Labour, observed annually on 12th June. This important occasion provides an opportunity to renew our collective commitment to protecting children from exploitation and ensuring that every child enjoys the right to education, development, and a safe childhood.

This year's theme, "Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults," serves as a powerful call to action for governments, businesses, communities, and families to intensify efforts to eliminate child labour while addressing its root causes. The theme recognizes that ending child labour requires not only protecting children but also promoting decent work opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for adults, particularly in rural and agricultural communities.

As the regulator of Ghana's cocoa sector, we remain firmly committed to ensuring that cocoa production is undertaken in a manner that respects children's rights, promotes their welfare, and safeguards their future. Children are the foundation of every prosperous society, and their place is in school,

learning, developing their talents, and preparing for productive adult lives, not in hazardous work that threatens their health, safety, education, and development.

Over the years, Ghana has made considerable progress in combating child labour through strong collaboration among Government agencies, development partners, cocoa-buying companies, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, and farming communities. These efforts have contributed to increased awareness, strengthened child protection systems, improved access to education, and enhanced support for vulnerable households.

COCOBOD continues to implement a range of interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of child labour within cocoa-growing communities. Through farmer sensitization programmes, child protection initiatives, livelihood improvement interventions, educational support programmes, and the implementation of the Cocoa Management System (CMS), the Board is strengthening traceability, sustainability, and responsible production practices across the cocoa value chain.

The Board also recognizes that poverty and household vulnerability remain key drivers of child labour. Consequently, COCOBOD's productivity enhancement programmes, free input support initiatives, rehabilitation programmes, and farmer welfare interventions are designed not only to improve cocoa production but also to strengthen household incomes and resilience, thereby reducing the risk of child labour.

As Ghana prepares for the full implementation of emerging sustainability and due diligence requirements, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in December 2026, COCOBOD remains committed to ensuring that Ghanaian cocoa continues to meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and human rights protection.

While progress has been made, we recognize that the fight against child labour is far from over. Eliminating child labour requires the active participation of all stakeholders; parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders, farmer organizations, licensed buying companies, development partners, and the media. Together, we must create safe, supportive, and enabling environments that allow every child to thrive.

On this World Day against Child Labour, we call on all cocoa farmers and stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to protecting children, promoting education, and preventing children from engaging in hazardous work. Let us continue to work together to build a cocoa sector that is productive, sustainable, and free from child labour.

Together, we can accelerate progress and ensure that every child enjoys the opportunity to learn, grow, and realize his or her full potential.

…###

ISSUED BY: PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
For more information, please contact the Public Affairs Department, Ghana Cocoa Board Office Direct Line: (0302) 66-17-66. E-mail: [email protected]