Child labor is the practice of employing children under the age of 18 in an exploitative, hazardous, or harmful manner. This can include working long hours, dangerous conditions, and exposure to harmful substances.

 

Mars, Incorporated is an American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products. The company was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Mars is one of the largest chocolate producers in the world, and its brands include M&M'S, Snickers, and Twix.

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Mars, Incorporated logo

Ghana is a country located in West Africa. It is the world's second-largest producer of cocoa beans, after Côte d'Ivoire. Cocoa is a major export crop for Ghana, and it is estimated that over 2 million children are involved in its production.

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Ghana map

M&M'S are a brand of chocolate candies consisting of small, colorful candies coated in a hard candy shell. M&M's were originally developed in 1941 by Forrest Mars, Sr. and Bruce Murrie. The candies are now produced by Mars, Incorporated and are sold in over 100 countries around the world.

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M&M'S candies

Cargill is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The company is privately owned and is one of the largest privately held corporations in the United States. Cargill is a major trader and processor of agricultural commodities, including cocoa.

In 2022, an investigation by the BBC found that Mars, Incorporated and other major chocolate companies were still using child labor in their cocoa supply chains in Ghana. The investigation found that children were working long hours, carrying heavy loads, and using machetes to harvest cocoa beans.

Mars, Incorporated and other chocolate companies have pledged to end child labor in their cocoa supply chains, but progress has been slow. The companies have faced criticism from consumers and advocacy groups for their failure to make more progress on this issue.

Here are some of the reasons why child labor is prevalent in the cocoa industry in Ghana:

• Poverty: Many families in Ghana are very poor, and they rely on their children's income to survive.
• Lack of education: Many children in Ghana do not have access to education, so they are forced to work on cocoa farms instead of going to school.
• Cultural norms: In some Ghanaian cultures, it is considered acceptable for children to work on cocoa farms.

There are a number of things that can be done to end child labor in the cocoa industry in Ghana:

• Increase cocoa prices: Cocoa farmers need to earn enough money to support their families without relying on their children's income.
• Improve education: Children need to have access to education so that they can break the cycle of poverty.
• Change cultural norms: There needs to be a shift in cultural norms so that it is no longer acceptable for children to work on cocoa farms.

It is important to note that child labor is not just a problem in the cocoa industry in Ghana. It is a problem in many industries around the world. We all need to work together to end child labor and protect children's rights.