Entry: Margaret Odotei, World Cocoa Foundation

It must have been the great ‘Boboobo’ dancing of the traditional dance group at the event, or the fact that Likpe Bakwa in Hohoe is home to some of the most beautiful sceneries in Ghana, or maybe it just was the hard work by NPECLC and its partners that had brought us all to this festive day. Participating in the GCLMS (Ghana Child Labour Monitoring System) launch at Likpe Bakwa in Hohoe in the Volta region of Ghana has been one of the most fulfilling moments so far this year. The GCLMS aims at obtaining comprehensive information, instituting timely and sustainable responses and mainstreaming Child Labour into national policies to contribute to Ghana’s target of reducing child labour by 70% by 2020.

The keynote address by the Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, an anecdote of his attitude to education as a child, and the day his parents had him arrested by the police for being truant resulting in his reporting to the police station daily to sign in on his way to school contributing to who he is today, drove home the value of education to parents and children from the various communities present at the launch event. On behalf of WCF, I had the opportunity to highlight our programs which raise awareness and provide alternatives to child labor, such as educational opportunities and economic activities to raise farmer incomes. The messages of partners such as the GIG, ICI, ILO, COCOBOD and the US government who graced the occasion added to the festive mood of the launch ceremony. We say kudos to the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare/NPECLC for the hard work in bringing the GCLMS to see the light of day!

‘Boboobo’ is one of the traditional dances of the Volta Region of Ghana

Margaret Odotei, World Cocoa Foundation