The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), as part of its efforts to ensure that pupils get a serene and conducive environment to learn in cocoa-growing communities in West Africa, has handed over a 3-unit classroom block and auxiliary facility to Akweteykrom Basic School in the Assin South district of the Central Region of Ghana.
The objective of the project was to enable children in Akweteykrom a cocoa-growing community have access to proper infrastructure for teaching and learning activities as a way to encourage more children to attend school and increase enrollment at the basic level instead of being seen on their parents’ cocoa farms either sitting ideal or working.
Cocoa is Ghana’s most important agricultural commodity which contributes greatly to Ghana’s economic growth. But whiles cocoa is earning the country huge amounts of money, people living in the cocoa growing areas usually don’t have access to good roads, and children of these cocoa farmers don’t have access to well-equipped classrooms, school buildings, and even access to a well-furnished library in their communities to study, which greatly impacts affected children. It is against this background that the International Cocoa Initiative has built and handed over a 3-unit classroom block and Auxiliary facility to the people of Akwateykrom.
Akwateykrom is a cocoa-growing community in the Assin South district in the central region of Ghana where ICI is working assiduously to eliminate issues of child labour and forced labour in the community. Speaking at a ceremony to hand over a 3-unit classroom block and auxiliary facility to Nananom and the people of Akweteykrom, Deputy Country Director & Programmes Coordinator for the International Cocoa Initiative, Prince Gyamfi explained that, the problems that bedevil our educational infrastructure in cocoa growing communities are numerous, and their organization focuses on addressing issues of child labour in cocoa growing communities in West Africa.
Read Also: Al Jazeera’s report on child labour: Cocoa farmers urged to be vigilant
“Our vision is of thriving cocoa-growing communities within a dignified, sustainable, and responsibly managed cocoa supply chain, where child rights and human rights are protected and respected, and where child labour and forced labour have been eliminated.
“I am very excited about it and we will continue to provide the necessary assistance for our young ones to have good and quality education.
He again pleaded with the chiefs and the people to maintain and take good care of this newly built classroom block. Apart from the 3-unit classroom block and Auxiliary facility, the International Cocoa Initiative again handed over a mechanized borehole and a 4-seater WC toilet facility.
District Chief Executive for Assin South, Hon. Felicia Ntrakwah Amissah in a speech read on her behalf said the community has benefitted tremendously from the International Cocoa Initiative as far as projects are concerned.
“It is an undeniable fact that our Assembly cannot do it alone and will therefore require the support of other development partners. “The Assembly and the community are therefore grateful that this project has seen the light of the day. “I entreat all to help maintain this structure so that it will be able to serve us for a long time,” she said.
Head of Sustainability and Communications for Toms Group Foundation, Lea Holm said critical aspects of their corporate social responsibility are located at the beginning of the cocoa value chain which is production.
“We must protect and ensure sustainable use of earth’s resources and act with respect for human rights along our cocoa supply chain, ensuring responsible procurement practices.
“As an organization we are focusing on two main areas namely eradication of deforestation and protection of children’s rights within cocoa growing communities.
The Gasehene of Akweteykrom, Mr. Richard Nartey, and residents thanked ICI and Toms Group Foundation for providing the community with a beautiful 3-unit classroom block, a mechanized borehole, and a 4-seater WC toilet.
, as part of its efforts to ensure that pupils get a serene and conducive environment to learn in cocoa-growing comm){kind=link}