The District Cocoa Officer at Suhum in the Eastern Region Mr Michael
Gyasi has said children under 18 years could perform varied tasks on cocoa
farms, which are not hazardous to their health and well-being or hindrance to
their education.
Speaking in an interview he explained that children between eight years
and 12 years could undertake permissible light work on cocoa farms.
Mr. Gyasi said this could involve taking care of babies and toddlers on
the farm, helping in cooking and serving food, which are considered permissible
light work.
The District Cocoa Officer said children between 12 years and 15 years
could also assist on the farm by filling nursery bags with black soil, planting
cocoa seedlings, as well as fetching water for spraying.
However, he said, all children must leave the farm before agro-chemical
spraying was carried out.
But hazardous work for children, which are considered the worst forms of
child labour on cocoa farms, include clearing of forests, felling of trees,
bush burning, and with agro-chemicals.
He said working full time on the farm and not attending formal school
also formed part of hazardous work.
Mr. Gyasi also explained that carrying of heavy loads beyond the
permissible weight; and for more than two miles (3 kilometres) were tantamount to
child labour.
Additionally, a child working in isolation on farms also breached the
law.
Credit: GNA
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