Cargill Ghana, in collaboration with the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) have trained 111 young people who successfully completed various vocational apprenticeship training programs between 2023 and 2026.
The graduation ceremony, held on September 24, 2026 in Debiso in the Western North Region of Ghana, marked another significant milestone in efforts to provide young people with practical skills and economic opportunities.
The apprenticeship program is part of Cargill’s broader Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS), with ICI supporting the implementation of interventions designed to identify, prevent and remediate child labour within cocoa-growing communities.
“At Cargill, we believe that the future of cocoa is closely connected to the wellbeing and prosperity of the communities where cocoa is grown,” said Max Essoh Latte, Managing Director of Cargill Ghana.
“By equipping young people with practical skills and creating opportunities for them to build more sustainable livelihoods, we are addressing some of the underlying factors that can contribute to child labour while helping young people realize their potential.”
The program aims to support young people who face limited opportunities to further education or skills development and provides them with practical training in various vocational trades.
The goal is to support program beneficiaries to acquire skills that can enable them to establish their own business and contribute to the economic wellbeing of their families and communities.
Following the program’s first graduating cohort of 60 young people in April 2025 in Sefwi Bekwai, Western North Region, this latest graduation brings the total to 171 young people have now acquired practical skills in various vocational trades, including auto mechanics, carpentry, tailoring, baking, welding, dressmaking and glass fabrication, among others.
“This initiative is an example of how we can help reduce child labour and poverty in cocoa-growing communities,” noted Mike Arthur, Country Director for ICI.
“When young people have access to vocational skills and opportunities within their communities, it can provide stronger pathways towards economic independence,” he said.
“Initiatives such as this can contribute to reducing vulnerability to child labour, while helping young people build livelihoods, support their families and contribute positively to their communities.”
The ceremony brought together representatives from Cargill Ghana, ICI, government institutions, traditional leaders, community leaders, parents, master craftsperson, development partners and other stakeholders committed to the protection and empowerment of children and young people in cocoa-growing communities.
Speaking during the ceremony, Samuel Apana, Sustainability Operations Manager at Cargill Ghana, emphasized that the initiative reflects Cargill’s investment in people and communities as part of building a more resilient cocoa sector.
He noted that providing young people with practical skills and opportunities can help strengthen families and communities while contributing to broader efforts to prevent child labour.
He encouraged the graduands to make good use of the newly acquired skills to build livelihoods, create opportunities for others and contribute positively to their communities.
Commenting on the event, Dr. James Kofi Kutsoati, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at COCOBOD, commended Cargill for its commitment to tackling child labour through the initiative.
He noted that the intervention complements COCOBOD’s broader efforts under the Cocoa Sector Child Labour Monitoring System (CS-CLMS), which is designed to eliminate child labour in cocoa-growing communities.
“Over the years, through the implementation of the Cocoa Sector Child Labour Monitoring System, COCOBOD has made significant progress in addressing this challenge.
“It is in light of this progress that I call on all stakeholders to work collaboratively to eliminate child labour and secure a brighter future for our children and the cocoa industry,” he stated.
The event also provided an opportunity to recognize the dedication of the graduates, their families, trainers and community stakeholders who supported them throughout their apprenticeship journey.
As part of the initiative, all 111 graduates comprising 75 females and 36 males received start-up tools to support them as they begin the next chapter of their lives and put their newly acquired vocational skills into practice.
The provision of the tools was intended to help the graduates transition from training into employment and entrepreneurship, enabling them to begin applying their skills to contribute to the economic wellbeing of their families and communities.
Also present at the ceremony was the District chief executive of Bia West District Assembly, who represented the Regional Minister. Wilbert Petty Bentum, commended Cargill Ghana and ICI for the initiative.
The Chief Executive described the program as a remarkable initiative and called on other institutions and stakeholders to emulate Cargill’s exemplary efforts by investing in initiatives that support young people and contribute to the development of communities.
International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) is a not-for profit organization founded in 2002, ICI is a leading organization tackling child labour and forced labour in the cocoa sector in West Africa.
With offices in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Switzerland, the organisation unites the forces of the cocoa and chocolate industry, civil society, farming communities, governments, international organizations and donors, leading a collective journey towards thriving cocoa-growing communities within a sustainable and responsible managed cocoa supply chain.
