In an effort to improve occupational safety and health measures in the cocoa and artisanal small-scale mining sectors, the International Labour Organization’s ACCEL AFRICA Project (Accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in supply chains in Africa) organised a comprehensive five day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop to build capacity.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing the capacity of stakeholders with the requisite technical skills and knowledge on international labour standards and occupational safety and health (OSH) principles to promote safer working environments, comply with labour protection standards and support the elimination of child labour in the Cocoa and ASGM sectors in Ghana.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants including labour inspectors from the Ministry of Labour Jobs and Employment, inspectors from Minerals Commission, COCOBOD Health and Extension Division, Child Labour Unit, Department of Cooperatives, Workers Organization and Employers’ Organization.
Through interactive sessions, practical demonstrations and knowledge-sharing platforms, the training addressed key safety and health challenges including occupational hazards, child labour, emergency response protocols and best practices for mitigating risks.
The National Program Coordinator of International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Bismark Quartey in an opening remark indicated that the well-being of workers in these sectors is paramount for growth and economic empowerment for its actors.,”. He said, these benchmarks had initiated the need to organise this capacity building session for trainers who will in turn train other in their various institutions.
He assured participants that the training is designed to empower trainers to transfer acquired knowledge to workers at all levels to improve the culture of safety and health.
The Occupational Safety and Health Consultant, Ms Emily Akumah, delivered various modules during the five-day residential program on OSH emphasising the importance of hands-on approaches in fostering long-term improvements.
Ms Akumah stressed the commitment of the project in ensuring that trainers gain practical insights and the confidence to implement safety measures effectively in their respective fields.
The participants visited a cocoa farm in one Konongo to interact with local farmers and appreciate practicality of hazards faced by farmers. The Konongo district office of COCOBOD were very instrumental in welcoming and briefing participants and facilitated a smooth interaction with officers and farmers.
At the end of the session, stakeholders collaborated to develop a comprehensive strategic action plan for occupational safety and health as well as child labour elimination in these sectors.
The document is aimed at strengthening occupational safety and health standards while addressing the urgent issue of child labour in the cocoa and small-scale mining sectors.
The plan outlined specific measures; capacity-building programs, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, community awareness campaigns and policy recommendations to ensure long-term improvements in working conditions.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the workshop, highlighting its relevance to their daily operations. The training provided invaluable skills, knowledge and the confident in identifying hazards and implementing safety measures to protect actors and the community.
The Training of Trainers workshop is part of a broader initiative by ACCEL to enhance workplace safety and align industry practices with national and international standards. The training initiative by the International Labour Organization is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with focus on a hands-on approach to addressing the root causes of child labour.
About The Project
Accelerating Action for The Elimination of Child Labour in supply chains in Africa (ACCEL Africa) is a Dutch-funded regional project with particular focus on specific supply chains, namely Cocoa, Coffee, Cotton, Gold and Tea. Building on lessons learned from over 25 years of the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) and overall ILO experience, the ACCEL Africa project is working on public policy and good governance; empowerment and representation, and partnership and knowledge sharing among global supply chain actors working in Africa. Countries covered are Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda. In Ghana, ACCEL aims at the elimination of child labour in supply chains in particular Cocoa and Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining.
The project is being implemented in the Bibiani Ahwiaso-Bekwai, Bia East, Juaboso Districts of the Western North Region and Wassa Amenfi East District in the Western Region of Ghana. It also contributes to advancing the vision of ILO’s 8.7 Accelerator Lab which aims to accelerate progress towards the elimination of child labour and forced labour by optimizing the effectives of development cooperation interventions.
