Yen Daakye (YDK), the name for ICI’s programme to eliminate worst forms of child labour in Ghana’s cocoa industry, means Our Future in the Twi language. The following interviews illustrate the reactions of community members to the YDK programme in Sika Nti, one of the ICI pilot communities in Ghana.  These interviews can also be viewed on line.

“I am Nana Afua Mmra, the queen mother. I would like to thank Yen Daakye. They have greatly helped the community. Before, children were doing all sorts of hazardous work. We had no idea this could harm their health and development. Yen Daakye has taught us about the effects of hard work on children. Now that we are aware, we parents do the work ourselves. We must take care of children; give them an education – so they will become good adults. We see children doing hazardous work in neighbouring communities. We appeal for this programme to be extended – so more children can be taken away from hazardous work.”

“I am Nana Kwame Buah, I am chief of Sika Nti. Yen Daakye came to help us develop – especially in regard of our children. Before children were working hard in the farms. We didn’t know this was harmful to them. Now the children are cared for – they no longer do hazardous work.
We make sure they go to school – school attendance has greatly improved.  As chief I make sure practices endangering children are eliminated. We have created our own bye-laws to protect children. For example, if a child does not attend school – or stays up late watching films in the video hut – then his parents will be fined. Yen Daakye is helping us construct a pre-school – which we hope to open next year.
Yen Daakye has greatly helped our community. I am glad it is expanding to other communities.”

“I am S.B. Kwakye, I am a cocoa farmer in Sika Nti. I have lived in the community for five years. In our ignorance we used children to cut trees and clear land for farms. The children were there helping when we sprayed chemicals. We didn’t know spraying could harm them. Then Yen Daakye came and told us of the dangers. Now children are not on the farm when we spray. We have also learnt the value of education – now all children in the community go to school. Parents want to send children to school. Yen Daakye has brought development particularly to the children.”

“My name is Ama Andoh, I am 38 years old. I am a mother of six children –three boys and three girls. Before Yen Daakye my main concern every morning was to prepare my tools and go to the farm. I didn’t care about getting the children ready for school. Yen Daakye sensitised us about the need for a mother to prepare her child and provide breakfast. Now before going to the farm I make sure the children have washed, dressed and eaten. I try to provide for all my children’s needs. Before, on market day, we got the children to help take our goods to the market. We now realise this effects their education so we have stopped doing this. With Yen Daakye I see the future of my children looks bright because they are all studying hard at school.”

“My name is Margaret Oboti. I am eight years old. Before Yen Daakye, my father didn’t care about my schooling. I had no uniform or shoes. I worked on the farm when they were spraying. He made me carry heavy loads on the farm. I now have a uniform and shoes. I don’t carry heavy loads on the farm and I’m not there when they spray.”

“I am Enoch Amissah. I am a cocoa farmer in Sika Nti – I am married with three children.  When Yen Daakye came we formed a committee to oversee the elimination of child labour. I was made chairman of the committee. What we have learnt will help us develop our children. As chairman, I make sure bad practices effecting children are stopped. This includes taking children to the farm – or market on school days – or making them do hazardous work. If parents are caught doing this they are brought before the chief and elders and punished. Since Yen Daakye, parents are serious about educating their children. Our goal is for more children to reach Senior Secondary and higher levels of education.”