Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – November 27, 2024

A new Framework of Action was signed today by the cocoa and chocolate industry (represented by the World Cocoa Foundation), the Governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, and the United States Department of Labor to coordinate and accelerate the prevention and progressive elimination of child labor in cocoa-growing communities of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.

The 2024 Framework of Action recognizes that contributing to addressing the root causes of child labor requires immediate and comprehensive multistakeholder action and effective coordination. The Framework has been developed to help define roles and responsibilities, ensure greater coordination and collective action, and to mobilize further support, in addition to ensuring actions are in line with the priorities of the cocoa-producing countries.  

Signatories have reaffirmed their commitment to work together to contribute to the prevention and progressive elimination of child labor in cocoa growing communities of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, by working to: 

  • Improve the well-being and development of children and their families in cocoa-growing communities; 
  • Improve the coverage of effective private Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS), and their alignment and interoperability with the Système d’Observation et de Suivi du Travail des Enfants in Côte d’Ivoire (SOSTECI) and the Ghana Child Labor Monitoring Systems (GCLMS), as well as national cocoa traceability systems and child protection case management systems;  
  • Improve access to quality education as well as technical and vocational training;  
  • Strengthen social services and social protection;   
  • Increase household income and women’s and youth empowerment in cocoa-growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana; and 
  • Promote social dialogue to address child labor and its root causes, including through efforts to engage farmers and workers at the community level in cocoa-growing areas and others active in cocoa production. 

Following on from the signature of the Framework, an Action Plan will be developed within 6 months and will specify the activities each signatory plans to support. It will identify areas of action for which collaborative programs are to be developed, in addition to progress indicators for each thematic area.  The development of the 2024 Framework of Action was undertaken within the Child Labor in Cocoa Coordinating Group (CLCCG), whose members include the cocoa and chocolate industry as represented by the World Cocoa Foundation, the governments of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and the United States Department of Labor. The work of the CLCCG is supported by technical expert organizations including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI). 

The full framework is available here.

“This new partnership agreement between Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, the United States and the cocoa and chocolate industry is a new hope for better results in the fight against child labor, thanks to our combined efforts and the pooling of our resources. As far as our country, Côte d'Ivoire, is concerned, and in particular the CNS and CIM (the Inter-ministerial Committee against child trafficking, exploitation and child labor), we encourage this multipartite and holistic approach. We will continue to coordinate and monitor the implementation of all the initiatives and actions of this new 2024-2029 Framework of Action, in line with our mission. I sincerely hope that all national players and our international partners will contribute in order to promote the well-being of our children”. Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d'Ivoire, President of the National Oversight Committee for actions against trafficking, exploitation and child labor in Côte d’Ivoire (CNS)

“The framework is a demonstration of our dedication and renewed commitment to contribute to the elimination of child labour in cocoa growing areas of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The Government of Ghana appreciates the value of effective collaboration and partnership in combating child labour. Ghana acknowledges the essential role this framework will play in accelerating action, sharing and upscaling impactful practices, discovering and testing innovations, and pulling resources together towards the elimination of child labour in cocoa growing areas of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. Ghana, as always, remains committed to supporting this worthy course and collaborating effectively with all the partners to ensure the attainment of the goal of the Framework.” Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations in Ghana and Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani West.

“This framework places the relevant national plans of action of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana at the center of our work, while underscoring the critical role that companies play in promoting due diligence and transparency in supply chains. We are working together because we share a goal to end child labor as well as a common responsibility to improve the lives of vulnerable children, families and workers.” Thea Lee, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor.

“The 2024 CLCCG Framework of Action represents a significant step forward in our shared mission to combat child labour in cocoa-growing communities. It underscores the cocoa and chocolate industry’s steadfast commitment to help foster sustainable livelihoods and helping children have the opportunity to thrive. The World Cocoa Foundation greatly values the collaboration of our CLCCG partners—the Governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the United States Department of Labor, and other key stakeholders—whose dedication and expertise have been crucial to advancing this mission.”Chris Vincent, President, The World Cocoa Foundation.