VZCZCXRO3882
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #0154/01 0291248
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291248Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6069
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ACCRA 000154 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W AND H 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM OVIP PGOV PREL ELAB GH
SUBJECT: CODEL ENGEL'S VISIT TO GHANA 
 
¶1. SUMMARY - During a January 9 - 11 visit to Ghana, CODEL Engel 
pressed Ghanaian officials, NGOs and industry for further efforts 
against the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa sector in 
accordance with the 2001 Harkin-Engel Protocol.  The GOG outlined 
steps it has taken to survey child labor practices in Ghana's 
cocoa-growing regions, and efforts to implement the GOG's national 
plan of action to eliminate the worst forms of child labor (WFCL). 
The CODEL also visited a cocoa village in Ghana's Western Region, 
viewing International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) projects to combat 
child labor, and a program to help farmers improve their farming 
practices.  The delegation also met with local NGOs that serve as 
implementing partners for ICI. END SUMMARY. 
 
Ghana Officials Outline Efforts to Combat Child Labor 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶2. On January 10, CODEL Engel, comprising Representative Eliot Engel 
(NY), Senator Thomas Harkin (IA) and Senator Bernard Sanders (VT), 
accompanied by Ambassador Bridgewater, met with Minister of 
Manpower, Youth and Employment (MMYE) Honorable Nana Akomea, 
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, 
Minister of National Security Francis Poku, Minister of Lands, 
Forestry and Mines Esther Obeng-Dapaah, Minister of Local 
Government, Rural Development and Environment Adjei-Darko, Minister 
of State for Education Elizabeth Ohene, Deputy Minister of MMYE 
Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa 
Board (COCOBOD) Charles Ntim, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. 
Brimpong-Yeboah, Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD Tony Fofie and 
other GoG officials to discuss efforts to eliminate of the worst 
forms of child labor (WFCL) from the cocoa sector and to assess 
Ghana's efforts towards this goal. 
 
Opening Remarks 
--------------- 
 
¶3. After introductions, Representative Engel reviewed the 
Harkin-Engel Protocol and efforts to develop industry-wide 
standards, and to have a certification system that will report and 
monitor the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa sector.  He 
noted that as the world's leading consumer of cocoa, the United 
States is a logical partner to "eliminate the vestiges of child 
slave labor."  The delegation said it wanted a partnership with the 
GOG, emphasizing that children should have access to education and 
not be forced to labor and miss school. 
 
¶4. Regarding the Harkin-Engel Protocol, Representative Engel said 
that the July 2008 deadline is to survey 50% of cocoa-growing 
regions; it was not the case that 50% of production had to be 
certified free of child labor by that deadline as some believe.  He 
said results of completed surveys indicate that children are doing 
heavy and sometimes dangerous work. 
 
¶5. Senator Harkin said he was discouraged by the missed deadline of 
July 1, 2005.  He acknowledged that the civil war in Ivory Coast had 
hindered progress there and that compliance is a long-term process. 
 
¶6. Senator Sanders echoed his colleagues' remarks, and noted the 
substantial profits that companies such as Mars, Hershey, Kraft, 
ADM, and Cargill enjoyed while children toil and miss school.  He 
called for a collaborative effort on behalf of the GoG, the USG and 
industry to eliminate WFCL. 
 
Ghana Outlines Measures Against Child Labor 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. Minister of National Security Poku replied that efforts to 
eliminate WFCL fit with the mission of national security.  He said 
there were "officers all around the country monitoring abuses of 
international conventions," and that he was pleased WFCL issues were 
being addressed by GOG ministries in coordination with NGOs.  He 
said there had been a radical change in attitude in Ghana towards 
education, emphasizing that many students are now interested in 
pursuing masters degrees and other forms of higher education. (NOTE: 
 Poku was fired from his ministerial position on January 12. END 
NOTE) 
 
¶8. Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment Akosua Frema 
Osei-Opare, who leads the GoG's effort to combat child labor, 
asserted that much of Ghana's child labor problem was a result of 
communal farming practice in the country.  She stressed that Ghana 
cares for its children and there was no ill intent in having 
children performing hazardous work.  She said that the government 
had put panels in place to focus on the needs of children, and in 
many communities, school teachers, priests, queen mothers and other 
community pillars have joined together to look after the welfare and 
interests of children. 
 
¶9. In her presentation, Deputy Minister Frema described steps the 
GOG has taken, including establishing a legislative framework, a 
national policy framework, and specific programs designed for 
 
ACCRA 00000154  002 OF 003 
 
 
"effective child development."  However, Frema said that the GOG was 
challenged by its limited national resources.  In concluding, Frema 
emphasized the GOG's displeasure with the Tulane University 
oversight study, which she described as "policing" its work. 
 
¶10. Rita Owusu-Amankwah, National Program Manager for the National 
Programme for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour in 
Cocoa (NPECLC), further detailed GoG efforts to eliminate WFCL in 
cocoa by 2011. Owusu-Amankwah explained that the GOG had crafted a 
multi-sectoral approach to solve the problem and designating "a 
high-level official from the GOG to direct and serve as government's 
point person."  She outlined progress made towards documenting and 
remediating the WFCL. With the cooperative effort from partners like 
the World Cocoa Foundation, UNICEF, the Danish Embassy and the 
International Cocoa Initiative, the GOG has developed occupational 
safety and health measures to reduce the WFCL. 
 
¶11. Following the GOG presentations, Representative Engel and 
Senator Harkin stressed that transparency and verification were 
essential, and that data collected for measuring WFCL should be 
available to all parties. 
 
Survey of Cocoa Farms for WFCL 
------------------------------ 
 
¶12. The COCOBOD representative said their report would be finished 
in April 2008, that data had been entered, and that analysis and 
report writing would begin soon.  The six districts covered in the 
pilot survey would be covered in the second survey, which is to 
include a total of 15 districts. The area surveyed, he noted, 
represents sixty percent of Ghana's output of cocoa.  In response to 
Senator Harkin's question when 100% completion would be achieved, 
the COCOBOD representative replied that this may be completed in the 
next year. 
 
¶13. COCOBOD also noted that limited funding has impeded its ability 
to meet deadlines.  Senator Harkin replied that industry was 
contributing "almost nothing" to the elimination of WFCL and that he 
would work with his Congressional colleagues to push for more 
funding from industry.  He observed that ADM had contributed 
US$150,000, and the total from the industry was "about US$2 
million."  The CODEL members asked the GOG to outline what resources 
would be necessary to meet their obligations. 
 
¶14. Concerning the percent of farms covered by the survey, Senator 
Harkin clarified that he was not referring to 100 percent of farms 
being surveyed, but rather 100 percent of growing areas.  He noted 
that some areas may have more problems than others. 
 
¶15. Deputy Minister Frema explained that the area covered was 
"mainly" guided by the Protocol.  There are six growing areas in 
Ghana, and they had all been covered.  The 60 percent figure they 
gave before was referring to cocoa output by the government in 15 
districts.  They had covered 100 percent of the six cocoa growing 
areas. 
 
Education 
--------- 
 
¶16. Representative Engel asked if it was as difficult for students 
to gain access to schools in Ghana as in the Ivory Coast, 
particularly due to the schools' distance.  The Minister of State 
for Education explained that the problem in Ghana was not as serious 
because cocoa production in Ghana takes place mainly on small farms, 
whereas in Ivory Coast cocoa tends to be grown on plantations.  In 
Ghana, she continued, the problem was more acute in pastoral areas 
where children tend cows and sheep.  She explained that it was 
difficult to get "these children to school at 7:30 am, so "shepherd 
boy schools" have been created.  She observed that a bigger 
challenge for Ghana relates to fishing communities because 
authorities have not found a way to develop suitable schools those 
communities. 
 
¶17. In response to Representative Engel's question regarding the 
percentage of children in school, the Ministry of State responded 
that current law requires children to begin school by age six, but 
that the age will soon be lowered to apply to four year olds.  For 
Primary One level students, enrollment is 91 percent nationally, but 
it varies by region from 71 to 100 percent enrollment.  The head of 
research at COCOBOD said cocoa growing areas had a higher enrollment 
than other areas. 
 
¶18. Representative Engel concluded by emphasizing he would push 
industry for more assistance.  He stated he felt that the meeting 
helped make progress.  Ambassador Bridgewater thanked all in 
attendance and said the U.S. Mission stood ready to ensure the 
success of the Congressional delegation's efforts. 
 
Visit to Cocoa Village in Western Region 
---------------------------------------- 
 
ACCRA 00000154  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶19. Following the meeting with GOG officials, the CODEL traveled to 
the village of Sekyere Krobo in the Western Region, where the 
International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) carries out projects addressing 
child labor in cocoa farming.  ICI coordinates these projects with 
Kumasi-based NGO Participatory Development Associates (PDA), and 
various local NGOs including Support for Community Mobilization 
Project/Programme (SCMPP) and Help Advance Communities Opportunity 
Goals (HACOG).  Representatives of the cocoa industry and local NGOs 
were present throughout this portion of the trip. 
 
¶20. At a cocoa farm outside of Sekyere Krobo, local farmers 
explained and demonstrated the stages of cocoa farming and 
processing.   At the ICI-sponsored "farmer field school," 
participants shared their experiences and knowledge on new practices 
that have made their farms more productive and reduced the need for 
child labor. 
 
¶21. Following the farm visit, over 200 inhabitants of Sekyere Krobo 
welcomed the CODEL in their village center.  Senator Harkin, Senator 
Sanders, and Representative Engel each addressed community members, 
explaining the purpose of their visit and their interest in helping 
combat child labor in cocoa.  Community children put on drama 
sketches designed to sensitize people against child labor. 
Villagers spoke about the impact of ICI projects and the experiences 
of women and children in combating child labor.  Community elders 
and the CODEL exchanged gifts, and the CODEL donating soccer balls 
for local children.  Senator Harkin explained to the village leaders 
that the soccer balls from Nike that he gave them used to be made by 
children.  But because of a similar effort to eradicate child labor 
from the industry, children were no longer involved in the sewing of 
soccer balls.  The visit to Sekyere Krobo ended with a walking tour 
of ICI-funded projects, including schools and libraries that 
recently have obtained electricity, permitting children to go to 
school in the evenings. 
 
¶22. The CODEL hosted a dinner in Elmina on January 10th. Attending 
were local NGO representatives, district level officials, 
representatives from the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment, 
and Ghana Education Services.  There were frank discussions on a 
range of issues.  Ghanaian guests shared their views on Ghana family 
structures and their personal commitment to combating child labor. 
On January 11, the CODEL concluded its visit to Elmina with a tour 
of the Elmina Castle, learning about the centuries-old history of 
slavery in Ghana. 
 
¶23. CODEL Engel has cleared this message.