Workshop on Combating Modern Slavery and Indecent Work Practices in Agribusinesses in Ghana

ActionAid Ghana in collaboration with the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) have organised a two-day workshop on Combating Modern Slavery in Ghana for informal sector workers along the agribusiness value chain. The purpose of the workshop was to deliberate on issues of forced and/or child labour and other forms of indecent work practices. Additionally it seeks to develop a decent work charter for adoption and use by informal entities within the agribusiness value chain. 

Combating Modern Slavery in Ghana is a project being implemented in Ghana by ActionAid Ghana and the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) with funding from the Norwegian Agency For Development Corporation (NORAD) to complement government’s efforts in eradicating modern slavery which manifest in forced and child labour, human trafficking, debt bondage and unfair contract farming practices.  The project will be implemented in 100 communities from the Northern,  Upper West, Bono, Ahafo and Oti regions of Ghana under three key objectives: 

1. Facilitate the implementation of measures to identify, prevent and address modern slavery in the agricultural sector 
2. To eliminate the involvement of child labour and women in agriculture plantations under servitude and
3. To enhance the knowledge of individuals and communities on modern slavery practices so they can act in concert to prevent such practices 

In a PowerPoint presentation on the topic Decent Work Agenda and Decent Work Charter, Consultant for the project, Paschal Ajongba Kaba noted that the decent work agenda is a Human Rights issue which when exhaustively dealt with will bring about further growth and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Participants at the end of the workshop developed a draft Charter on Decent Work for adoption and use by informal organisations within the agribusiness value chain. 

Gertude Elorm Degenu (Ms)

Editor@agricinafrica.com