Reporting and Remediation Update
Certification reports from the governments of Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Ghana have identified several issues affecting the well-being of children on cocoa farms.
These issues are, in turn, being addressed by a number of industry-supported programs:
Issue |
Remediation Programs |
Children involved in hazardous, unsafe tasks like carrying heavy loads, applying pesticides |
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and industry-supported program, “Healthy Communities,” educates farmers on safe, responsible labor practices – and the appropriate role of children on the farm |
Children on cocoa farms and not with parents or relatives |
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) works with communities and local NGOs to help at-risk children Government representatives follow up on any issues or suspicious activities identified during the data collection process |
Children not attending school; lack of access to quality, relevant education |
A WCF partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), “ECHOES,” is improving education via teacher training in cocoa farming communities in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana WCF partnerships with Winrock International and the Institute for Education and Self Help (IFESH) are also improving access to quality, relevant education The ICI is working with communities in the Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana to improve school facilities, encourage greater school attendance |
Farmers struggling with income issues due to low productivity, outdated farming techniques |
WCF-supported programs – such as the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) -- are improving farmer incomes |