The world’s two largest cocoa producers, Ivory Coast and Ghana, have committed to joining forces to end all forms of child labour in the cocoa industry.
In a communiqué, the countries said: “We reaffirm our commitment to eradicating child labour and deforestation in cocoa and will collaborate with all stakeholders to promote and sustain the cocoa industry”.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to other issues in the industry as captured in the full communiqué below.
COMMUNIQUE: GHANA – COTE D’IVOIRE
ISSUED BY CCC AND COCOBOD 23RD OCTOBER 2019
Le Conseil du Café Cacao and Ghana Cocoa Board, representing Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, after engagement with industry players in the cocoa value Chain on the continuous implementation of sustainability programmes, hereby wish to communicate as follows:
1. The governments and industry agree that without an improved cocoa income, there cannot be a sustainable cocoa industry.
2. The industry clearly indicates that it is implementing the LID introduced in July for the 2020-21 season as part of the mutual objective to raise farmer income. They are taking the necessary actions towards its full and immediate implementation.
3. We hereby reaffirm our position that LID and sustainability programmes can operate together as the two complement each other in ensuring the sustainability of the industry and the achievement of the SDGs
We, therefore, announce that the LID and the sustainability programmes would co-exist and complement each other. The implementation of sustainability and certification programmes shall therefore continue in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. We shall monitor and evaluate the complementary co-existence of the LID and sustainability programmes being implemented in our respective countries to decide on them, going forward.
We reaffirm our commitment to eradicating child labour and deforestation in cocoa and will collaborate with all stakeholders to promote and sustain the cocoa industry.
KONE BRAHIMA YVES DIRECTEUR GENERAL LE CONSEIL DU CAFE-CACAO
HON JOSEPH BOAHEN AIDOO CHIEF EXECUTIVE GHANA COCOA BOARD