By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, July 22, GNA – The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has expanded child protection interventions to 1.68 million children across cocoa-growing communities in West Africa, according to its 2025 Annual Report.
The report said the children were supported through Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS) implemented by ICI members by September 2025, despite challenges posed by market volatility and regulatory uncertainty.
It said programme coverage also increased to 1.33 million cocoa-farming households in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria, from 1.17 million households recorded the previous year.
The report noted that the organisation had shifted greater attention to improving the quality, effectiveness and sustainability of the monitoring systems to achieve better outcomes for children and farming families.
“Despite the uncertainty and challenges, ICI members and partners remained committed to raising the bar on our efforts to protect children from child labour and uphold human rights across cocoa-growing communities,” Mr Matthias Lange, Executive Director of ICI, said.
A key achievement highlighted in the report was the publication of the CLMRS Core Criteria, which establish minimum standards for designing and implementing Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation Systems.
The criteria are supported by a practical implementation manual and a self-assessment tool to help organisations strengthen their child protection systems and improve impact.
The report said ICI also deepened collaboration with government institutions in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon to strengthen social welfare systems, improve data coordination and enhance institutional capacity for child labour monitoring, referral and follow-up services.
It said the organisation developed practical guidance for cocoa sector stakeholders on preventing children’s exposure to hazardous pesticides, addressing forced labour risks, improving grievance mechanisms and strengthening data management systems.
During the reporting period, ICI organised 25 knowledge-sharing sessions across West Africa and beyond to enable partners to translate research and lessons into practical interventions.
The report noted that with evolving international regulations, including new European Union due diligence and forced labour requirements, ICI worked with partners to develop practical recommendations to address forced labour risks within cocoa supply chains.
For Ghana, it said the developments underscored the need for effective child labour prevention systems that meet international standards while delivering lasting benefits to cocoa-growing communities.
“Our focus remains clear: to drive systemic change that is both scalable and sustainable. Through continued learning, partnership, action and innovation, we are expanding the reach and effectiveness of our work, bringing us closer to a future where every child is protected and able to thrive,” Mr Lange said.
ICI is a non-profit foundation that works to eliminate child labour and forced labour in the cocoa sector across West Africa.
It brings together cocoa and chocolate companies, governments, farming communities, civil society organisations, international agencies and development partners to promote sustainable and responsible cocoa production while improving the welfare of children and farming families.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: Edward Acquah
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