Child Rights in Ghana

Child labour in Ghana remains widespread. Nearly 28% of children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labour, with around 21% working in hazardous conditions. The majority - over 63% - are involved in agriculture, especially cocoa production. Another 10.8% work in industries like mining and quarrying. The worst forms of child labour include forced labour in agriculture (including cocoa farming), herding, fishing, and artisanal gold mining. Moreover, 33% of young women and 28% of young men are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), further increasing the risks of child labour and exploitation. These issues are rooted in deeper, interconnected challenges: poverty, limited access to quality education, weak social protection, gender inequality, and inadequate child protection systems.

Brands sourcing from Ghana - whether in cocoa, mining, or other sectors - must understand and address these risks through strong human rights due diligence. This includes identifying root causes, taking action to protect children and workers including through multi-stakeholder initiatives, and helping to build responsible, resilient supply chains.

Supporting You in Ghana

We offer in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience addressing child rights and related human rights issues, such as forced labour and responsible recruitment, across supply chains. Backed by 15 years of research and practical work to tackle root causes and deliver effective remediation, The Centre has conducted numerous child labour and forced labour assessments in raw commodity supply chains, including in Ghana. Get in touch to learn how we can support your efforts.