The Netherlands is pushing for cocoa farming to provide a living income for families. They also demand that cocoa production be free from deforestation and child labour. Peter Dadzie, a policy officer at the Dutch Embassy in Ghana, stated these goals. He emphasized that children are the future. They need care and protection, not hazardous work.
To achieve these aims, the Netherlands is investing in child protection programmes. One such initiative is the ACCEL Africa Project. This project works with the International Labour Organization. The embassy also supported a training workshop for police investigators and prosecutors. This event took place on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Goaso. It focused on combating exploitative networks. Human trafficking was a key area of focus. The workshop also marked the commissioning of a child-friendly anti-human trafficking unit. This unit is located in the Ahafo region.
Research highlights the scale of the problem. About 1.56 million children work in cocoa production in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. This data comes from the National Opinion Research Centre at the University of Chicago. A vast majority, 95%, face dangerous conditions. They use sharp tools like machetes. They carry heavy loads of cocoa pods. They also handle toxic agrochemicals. The International Labour Organization (ILO) notes a link between forced labour, human trafficking, and hazardous child labour. Vulnerable children are sometimes trafficked with false promises of education or work.
Mr. Dadzie reiterated the Dutch Ambassador's commitment. H.E. Jeroen Verheul wants dignity and wellbeing for children in cocoa communities. The Netherlands is proud to support International Justice Mission (IJM). This support strengthens social welfare departments and law enforcement. These efforts target the Ahafo, Western North, and Ashanti regions. The new Anti-Human Trafficking Unit is a safe haven. It sends a clear message of zero tolerance for child labour and trafficking. Trained officers must be dedicated. They will help end child trafficking and exploitation.
This collaboration signifies shared responsibility. It involves both consuming and producing nations. European Union countries are enacting stricter laws. These laws require companies to be more careful about their supply chains. Foreign partners like the Netherlands are investing in local solutions. They fund enforcement infrastructure and build police capacity. They also support social safety nets. This helps turn policies into real protection for families.