Cocoa Farmers’ Perceptions of the Factors Associated with Child Labour Use in Cocoa Production in the Sefwi Area of the Western Region of Ghana

Abstract

There has been concerns raised recently by some individuals and groups following negative media reports about the possible use of child labour in cocoa production, particularly reports of forced child labour on cocoa farms of Cote d’Ivoire which surfaced in the year 2000. The study was conducted between November, 2011 and May, 2012 to identify the factors associated with child labour use in cocoa production in the Sefwi area of the Western Region of Ghana. A descriptive correlational research design was used for the study, which was carried out in the five districts, namely Bia, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Sefwi Wiawso, Akontombra and Juaboso districts. The population for the study was cocoa farmers in the selected districts. An interview schedule was developed and used to collect data from the respondents. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS Version 16) software was used to analyse the data collected from the respondents. The analysis included; descriptive statistics, ANOVA, t-test, correlations and Stepwise Multiple regression. All the coefficients of significance in the study were tested at 0.05 alpha level. The results of the best predictors of the factors associated with child labour use were that: (1) It is cheaper to use children in cocoa production (2) Expansion of educational opportunities for children, (3) Law enforcement to prevent child labour use, (4) Ownership of land, (5) Children below 18 years that are used in cocoa production have their parents migrated to the cities, (6) Gender (female), (7) Children below 18 years that are used in cocoa production do not have access to school, (8) Educational background and (9) Some cocoa farmers use their children in cocoa production because they may want to handover their cocoa farms to them in the future. The study recommended that cocoa farmers with low educational levels should be educated about the negative effects of child labour use in cocoa production. Since cost was found to be the best predictor of child labour use in cocoa production, the study recommends that technologies that reduces the requirements for much labour be made available and affordable to farmers. Additionally, more and flexible educational units should be made accessible in cocoa producing areas for more children to be enrolled in. Campaigns against child labour use n cocoa production and farming in general should be intensified by key stakeholders such as Government, Ghana Cocoa Board, Law Enforcement Agencies and foreign partners.