CHILD RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL EMPOWERS CIDLDREN IN COCOA- GROWING COMMUNITIES

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:ll ;:: Child Ri«3hts International
Vol.031
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CIDLD RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL EMPOWERS CIDLDREN IN COCOA-
GROWING COMMUNITIES
Issued; October 13, 2023
Child Rights International (CRI) is thrilled to unveil its latest initiatives, dedicated to the
support and empowerment ofchildren in cocoa-growing communities throughout Ghana. As a
non-governmental organisation deeply committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of
children, CRI has embarked on a series of projects designed to enhance the educational and
vocational opportunities for children, with a significant emphasis on eradicating child labour
in cocoa-growing communities.
Under the umbrella of the CRI Community Remediation and Empowerment Programme
(CREP), CRI has made remarkable progress in providing educational opportunities and
vocational training for children in various cocoa-growing communities. Over the years, we
supported a substantial number ofchildren inTechnical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) and offered educational support to many others.
This year, CRI has supported a total of twenty-five (25) children across three cocoa-growing
districts. Out of this number, fourteen (14) children in New Juabeng, seven (7) in West Akim
and four (4) in Ayensuano Districts, have embarked on apprenticeships in vocations such as
hairdressing, masonry, plumbing, sewing, and many more. An additional one hundred and
thirteen (113) children are set to benefit across five (5) districts.
Furthermore, through the School Improvement Support Scheme (SISS), CRI has provided
five (5) nursery schools within the Atwinma Mponua, Ayensuano and West Akim Districts
with child-friendly furniture, educational materials, and refurbished classrooms. These
improvements are already creating amore conducive learning environmentfor children in these
areas.
Presently, CRI is actively involved in the renovation of two (2) kindergarten schools in the
Atwinma Mponua and Suhum Districts. This endeavour aims to ensure that children aged four
(4) to six (6) years canaccess quality education without the need for long and arduous journeys.
This initiative aligns seamlessly with CRI's unwavering commitment to creating opportunities
for children in cocoa-growing communities.
Additionally, approximately four thousand (4,000) Junior High School (JHS) students across
thirty-five (35) districts within the Ashanti, Eastern, Western-North, Bono, Ahafo and Western
regions will receive textbooks, exercise books, and notebooks. By undertaking this endeavour,
Post Office Box NT 102, Newtown
Accra, Ghana West Africa
Tel: +233 (0)302 503 744
E-mail: info@crighana.org
Website: www.crighana.org
Loe: Hse, No. 16 Adumua Street, Dzorwulu - Accra
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2. CRI aims to significantly enhance the educational resources available to these students,
granting them the advantages needed to excel in their studies.
Under the CRI Tony Fofie Child Development Fund (TFDF), a total of thirty-one (31)
students have received scholarships, with twenty-nine (29) of them awarded tertiary
scholarships and two (2) given secondary scholarships.
Furthermore, in a resolute effort to eliminate child labour, CRI has established partnerships
with eight (8) organisations, collectively working across one thousand two hundred and fifty
(1,250) cocoa-growing communities. These collaborations equip children with essential
technical skills and education, protecting them from engaging in hazardous activities.
CRI's School Mobility Project (SMP) has also provided thirteen (13) modified tricycles in
five (5) cocoa-growing districts to assist school children in rural communities with their daily
commute to school.
During the handing over of fourteen (14) children in the New Juabeng North District to their
master craftsmen, Mr. Bright Appiah, the Executive Director of Child Rights International,
admonished and underscored the significance of technical education. Describing it as the key
to empowering young people with practical skills and enabling them to pursue careers aligned
with their passions while simultaneously safeguarding them from perilous activities.
Hon. Comfort Asante, the Municipal Chief Executive of New Juabeng North, expressed her
heartfelt gratitude to CRI and its esteemed partners for their invaluable support. She urged
skills tutors to remain steadfastly committed to the educationofchildren, emphasising that such
dedication is a collective endeavour, requiring the unwavering commitment of all parties
involved.
Child Rights International remains committed and dedicated to improving the lives and well-
being of children, particularly in cocoa-growing communities across Ghana. Through its
diverse programmes and initiatives aimed at eradicating child labour, CRI strives to ensure a
brighter and more promising future for the children in these communities.