Abstract:
Concerns have been growing in Ghana about the employment of children, aged between 5-17
years, in cocoa production activities. This concern is echoed by the International Labour
Organisation in its attempt to eliminate Worst Form of Child Labour. The objectives of the
study were as to: investigate whether the labour of the children are paid for; determine the
extent of children’s involvement; and investigate the risks they are exposed to. Using Focus
Group Discussions (FGDs), participant groups made up of women, men, children and
opinion leaders were purposely selected from 10 cocoa producing communities from the
study area. Structured questionnaires were also administered to 50 cocoa farmers through
face-to-face interviews. The study revealed that harvesting is the stage in the cocoa
production process that children are directly and actively involved. The study concludes by
indicating that child labour and cocoa production are inseparable in the cocoa producing
areas in the study site.
