As part of its commitment to preventing and addressing child labor, Cargill, in partnership with the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), hosted a graduation ceremony honoring 60 adolescent apprentices who have successfully completed a year-long vocational and technical training program.
The ceremony was held at the forecourt of the Bekwai Chief’s Palace.
The apprenticeship specifically supports 15–17-year-olds in cocoa-growing communities who are beyond compulsory school age and often face limited access to further education or skills training.
Through practical training in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, and glass fabrication, the initiative equips youth with income-generating skills for self-reliance and community resilience.
It is part of Cargill’s long-term Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS) strategy under the Cargill Cocoa Promise, focused on identifying, preventing, and remediating child labor within the cocoa supply chain.
“Human rights are fundamental at Cargill,” said Max Essoh Latte, Managing Director of Cargill Ghana.
“We believe that the best way to safeguard the future of cocoa is to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of farmers and their families. This program empowers young people with real opportunities to succeed.”
Graduates were presented with official TVET certificates from the Ministry of Education and received tools of trade to launch their careers. The ceremony featured remarks from government officials, community leaders, and parents, underscoring the shared responsibility in building thriving communities.
“This initiative is a great example of how we can reduce child labour and poverty in cocoagrowing communities,” noted Mike Arthur, Country Director of ICI.
“By investing in adolescents and providing access to vocational training closer to home, we can equip them with skills that help them be conomically independent in the future, allowing them to support their families, diversifying income in cocoa-growing communities, and reducing the prevalence of child labour.”
Samuel Apana, Sustainability Operations Manager at Cargill, highlighted the company’s broader approach to child labor remediation: “This is just the beginning. These 60 graduates are the first batch of over 200 apprentices currently enrolled, with more youth to be added in the coming months. Our strategy combines short-term support with long-term investment in education, women’s empowerment, and community infrastructure.”
Local leaders, including HRH Oyeadieyie Basaoe Kwadwo Armah III, Omanhene of Sefwi Bekwai Traditional Area applauded Cargill’s leadership and called on other private sector actors to follow suit in supporting youth development.
