Save the Children and International Cocoa Initiative sign agreement to boost child protection in Ivorian cocoa zones
via Abidjan.net11 min read
Save the Children and the International Cocoa Initiative ICI signed a strategic memorandum of understanding on June 23, 2026, at ICI's headquarters in Cocody Riviera 3, C么te d'Ivoire. This agreement aims to strengthen child protection, well-being, and development, particularly in cocoa-producing areas prone to child labor issues. Donatien Awokou, ICI's Director of Partnerships and Communication and interim Country Director, highlighted the agreement as a key step in consolidating synergies between the two organizations. The protocol, developed over six months, focuses on strengthening child protection systems, building capacity among stakeholders, improving coordination and information sharing mechanisms, and implementing concerted advocacy actions. Euphrasie Aka, ICI's West and Central Africa Director, described the agreement as highly symbolic and strategic, emphasizing the importance of investing in children for sustainable national development. She noted past collaborations that improved coordination among public, private, and civil society actors in cocoa communities. Ak茅bou Sawadogo, Save the Children C么te d'Ivoire Country Director, reiterated his organization's long-standing commitment to combating child labor in the cocoa sector. Since 2013, Save the Children has implemented over twenty projects, investing more than 40 million dollars over fifteen years, which has led to the removal of over 2,500 children from hazardous work and raised awareness among thousands about
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