Exploring worst forms of child labour in cocoa production in the Amenfi West District

Abstract

The Worst Forms of Child Labour is regarded as one of the most serious problems of human rights violations in the contemporary world. This study was conducted in three cocoa farming communities in the Amenfi West District namely Koduakrom, Wasenma Camp and Mmrakrom. The study aimed at exploring the phenomenon of Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) in cocoa production. The objectives of the study were, to identify the nature of WFCL in cocoa farms, identify factors that push children into WFCL in these communities, describe the experiences of children working under WFCL and to explore the extent of success of human rights interventions on the practice of WFCL in the cocoa farms in the Amenfi West District. Thirty respondents were purposefully sampled for the study, comprising eighteen children, four parents, three employers and five stakeholders implementing and monitoring child rights protection. Interview and observation were used as instruments for collecting the data. The study revealed that, children from Koduakrom and Mmrakrom communities have not received child rights education and were involved in preparation of land for plantation, and used dangerous tools and agro chemicals on cocoa farms and work long hours beyond the permissible hours. It was gathered that the nature of work posed a threat to the psychological, emotional, physical and developmental growth of children, therefore the work constituted WFCL, an abuse of children rights. Children from Wansema Camp have received human rights education on the effects of children practicing worst forms of labour. The results further showed that communities that have received human rights interventions have successfully eliminated WFCL. It is recommended that the government and District Assemblies should commit some financial resources in curbing WFCL in communities that have not received human rights interventions