Côte d'ivoire and ghana sign a joint declaration of commitment to fight against human trafficking and child labour

After Mali in 2011, Burkina Faso in 2013, Côte d'Ivoire has just signed with Ghana a joint declaration of commitment to fight against cross-border trafficking and the worst forms of child labour. The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, 13 September 2016, at the CRRAE-UMOA in Plateau in the presence of Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d'Ivoire and Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, First Lady of Ghana, As well as several officials from both countries. It must be pointed out that, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana have a common history that goes back many years. Apart from their culture, these two countries alone account for nearly three-quarters of world cocoa production.

A leading position, which unfortunately comes with a number of negative consequences, since the two (02) countries are regularly under increased scrutiny from the international community, with regard to child labour exploitation in cocoa farming. Given the Urgent need of finding a common solution to this problem, the First Lady of Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, after having initiated cooperation agreements in the fight against trafficking and the worst forms of Child Labour with Mali in 2011, and Burkina Faso in 2013, has decided to lay the foundation for a synergy of action with Ghana in this fight. The President of the National Oversight Committee of Actions in the Fight against Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labour (CNS) did not fail to mention that in her introductory speech: "However, in spite of actions undertaken, many children are still involved in the worst forms of child labour in our country and in the sub-region. Indeed, according to recent studies, about 4,000 children are still victims of cross-border trafficking in Côte d'Ivoire. It is therefore a worrying situation that appeals to all actors and requires even more vigorous actions, " complained Mrs. Ouattara. According to her, it is on the basis of this situation that the CNS and the Interministerial Committee in the Fight against Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labour (CIM) has made the sub-regional cooperation an essential part of their action. In this context, after signing an agreement with Mali and Burkina Faso, it was necessary to sign an agreement with Ghana to fight efficiently this phenomenon.

" Indeed, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana are the two leading cocoa producers in the world. Our countries are therefore particularly exposed to the issue of the worst forms of child labour in cocoa farming. That's why we decided to unite our efforts to protect our children, " said the First Lady Dominique Ouattara. She concluded by hoping that this declaration of commitment will be the starting point for a stronger partnership between the two countries in the fight against cross-border trafficking and the worst forms of child labour. "I remain convinced that together in a permanent consultation and cooperation framework we will succeed in eliminating permanently trafficking and the worst forms of child labour in our respective countries," she concluded.
The First Lady of Ghana, Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, has drawn up a poor picture of the phenomenon in her country. She welcomed the initiative of Mrs. Dominique Ouattara to lay the foundations for concerted action, with a view to eliminate cross-border trafficking and the worst forms of child labour once for all.