Last month, ICI in partnership with Cargill enrolled 163 older children in apprenticeship programmes with the goal of providing practical skill training to 15- to 17-year-olds in cocoa-growing communities. The initiative is part of Cargill’s efforts to address child labour and empower youth in cocoa-growing areas by creating alternative pathways to work opportunities. Through this apprenticeship programme, beneficiaries are enrolled in training opportunities of their choice, ranging from tailoring and hairdressing to carpentry, mechanics, and other vocational trades.
The enrollment, which officially began with an orientation event in various districts, involved children from cocoa-growing communities in the Western, Western North, Ahafo Central, Ashanti, and Eastern regions of Ghana.The event served as a platform to clarify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved: parents, apprentices, and master craftsmen. By aligning expectations from the outset, ICI and Cargill aim to create an enabling environment for apprentices to thrive both during training and beyond. Cargill covers the costs of enrolment fees, tools, and equipment.
Throughout the programme, ICI and Cargill will monitor the apprentices’ progress closely, offering guidance and support to ensure successful completion. Upon graduation, participants will be equipped with employable skills and in a position to generate ongoing income for themselves and their families.
Andrews Asamoah, ICI project manager for the Cargill project, noted that the initiative aims to improve the well-being of children in cocoa-growing areas through skills training, creating opportunities that help build stronger and more resilient communities while tackling the broader issue of child labour.