Accra, June 12, 2026 – The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has renewed its commitment to eradicating child labour within Ghana’s cocoa industry, calling on all stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect children and promote decent livelihoods for adults in cocoa-growing communities.
The appeal was made in a statement issued to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, observed globally on June 12 under the theme, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”
According to COCOBOD, the annual observance provides an important opportunity for governments, businesses, communities, and families to reaffirm their collective determination to end child labour and safeguard the rights and welfare of children.
The Board emphasized that children belong in classrooms and not in hazardous working environments that could compromise their health, safety, education, and overall development.
“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,” the statement stressed.
COCOBOD noted that this year’s theme highlights the need to address not only the symptoms of child labour but also its underlying causes, including poverty, unemployment, and limited livelihood opportunities for adults in rural communities.
“The theme 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 Board stated.
As regulator of Ghana’s cocoa sector, COCOBOD said it remains firmly committed to ensuring that cocoa production is carried out in a manner that respects children’s rights and promotes their welfare and future prospects.
The Board acknowledged the progress Ghana has made over the years in tackling child labour through collaboration among government agencies, development partners, cocoa-buying companies, civil society organisations, traditional authorities and farming communities.
It said such partnerships have helped increase public awareness, strengthen child protection systems, improve access to education and provide support for vulnerable households across cocoa-growing areas.
COCOBOD further highlighted several interventions currently being implemented to address child labour and its underlying causes within cocoa communities.
These interventions include farmer sensitisation programmes, child protection initiatives, livelihood enhancement projects, educational support schemes and the implementation of the Cocoa Management System (CMS), which is helping to improve traceability and sustainability within the cocoa value chain.
According to the Board, these measures are designed to ensure responsible production practices while creating safer environments for children and families.
“Through farmer sensitisation programmes, child protection initiatives, livelihood improvement interventions, educational support programmes and the implementation of the Cocoa Management System, the Board is strengthening traceability, sustainability and responsible production practices across the cocoa value chain,” the statement said.
COCOBOD identified poverty and household vulnerability as among the principal factors contributing to child labour, particularly in rural agricultural communities.
To address these challenges, the Board said it continues to roll out productivity enhancement programmes, free input support initiatives, rehabilitation projects and farmer welfare interventions aimed at boosting cocoa production while improving household incomes.
The statement explained that strengthening the economic resilience of farming households is a critical strategy in reducing children’s vulnerability to labour exploitation.
“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,” it noted.
The Board also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s cocoa industry meets emerging international sustainability and human rights standards.
It pointed to preparations towards the full implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), expected to take effect in December 2026, as part of efforts to maintain Ghana’s reputation as a producer of sustainable and ethically sourced cocoa.
“As Ghana prepares for the full implementation of emerging sustainability and due diligence requirements, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation 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,” the statement said.
Despite the gains made, COCOBOD acknowledged that significant challenges remain and cautioned that the fight against child labour is far from over.
The Board therefore called for renewed commitment from parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders, farmer organisations, licensed buying companies, development partners and the media.
It stressed that lasting progress can only be achieved through collective action and shared responsibility.
“Eliminating child labour requires the active participation of all stakeholders. Together, we must create safe, supportive and enabling environments that allow every child to thrive,” the statement emphasized.
COCOBOD urged cocoa farmers and all actors within the cocoa value chain to recommit themselves to protecting children, promoting education and preventing children from engaging in hazardous work.
The Board concluded by expressing confidence that sustained collaboration and investment in child welfare would help build a more productive, sustainable and child-labour-free cocoa sector.
“Together, we can accelerate progress and ensure that every child enjoys the opportunity to learn, grow and realize his or her full potential,” the statement added.
Below is the full statement:
STATEMENT BY THE GHANA COCOA BOARD (COCOBOD) ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR 2026
Theme: “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults”
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.
