Ghana – Kwame’s Fight Against Child Labor & Ethical Cocoa Farming

Kwame Mensah, a 55-year-old farmer from Kumasi, Ghana, remembers when cocoa farming was a family tradition passed down through generations. But as prices dropped and costs rose, many farmers resorted to using child labor just to survive.

Determined to protect children’s rights, Kwame sought an alternative. Through Cocoa Connect’s ethical labor training and fair trade partnerships, he learned how to increase yield sustainably without exploiting labor. He also joined a certified fair trade cooperative, which ensures that farmers receive fair wages and resources to hire adult workers instead of relying on children.

Today, Kwame is a leading advocate in his community, educating other farmers on the dangers of child labor and the benefits of fair trade cocoa. His farm is thriving, his workers are fairly paid, and the children in his village are now in school instead of on the fields.

“A good harvest should never come at the cost of a child’s education. Fair trade gave me the chance to farm ethically and still provide for my family.” – Kwame Mensah