Providing School Supplies to 100 Children in Ghana

Thank you very much for your continued support of the SMILE Ghana Project. My name is Megumi Ito, and I am a researcher at ACE. 

ACE is implementing the SMILE Ghana Project in cocoa-producing areas of Ghana, working to protect children from hazardous child labour and support their education. 

In March, I visited two communities that have completed the SMILE Ghana Project. At the schools we visited, the children greeted us with smiles. Some answered shyly when asked about their lessons, while others jumped with excitement at having guests—fondly watched over by members of the Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC). 

Witnessing this, I deeply felt that “the children’s sense of security exists because of the community’s vigilance.” In this report, I would like to introduce the work of the CCPC, which plays a central role in protecting children in Ghana through the SMILE Ghana Project. 

The Community Mechanism Supporting Children: Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC) 

The CCPC is a volunteer organization within the community, established to prevent child labour and safeguard children. Its members include the village chief, queenmother (a traditional female leader), religious leaders, educators, and local councilors—ensuring that child protection is a shared community responsibility. 

The CCPC regularly patrols the community to check whether any children are engaged in child labour and visits households where children are frequently absent from school. 

For example, they address cases such as: 

• Children who cannot attend school because they stay home to care for younger siblings while their mother works at the market. 

• Households where children lack school supplies or adequate meals, creating an environment that hinders learning. 

Through home visits, the CCPC learns about each family’s circumstances. Based on the needs identified, they may provide school supplies or persuade parents to send their children to school. 

However, the community alone cannot address all challenges. Improving school infrastructure and increasing household income require collaboration with government and external organizations. Therefore, under the SMILE Ghana Project, ACE supports CCPCs by strengthening their connections with district-level administrative bodies. For example, we assist CCPCs in developing and updating community action plans. Documenting local issues, needs, and priorities in a formal plan helps estimate funding requirements and secure support from government agencies and external partners. 

Community Leaders 

The CCPC includes key community leaders who each contribute to protecting children and improving education in their respective roles: 

• Village Chief 
  In Ghana, traditional leadership is deeply entrenched in society. Village chiefs,formally recognized under customary law and protected by the national constitution, serve as custodians of land, guardians of social order, promoters of community development, and key facilitators in the execution of government policies. Chiefs—usually chosen through matrilineal succession—hold significant influence and command profound respect within the communities. 

• Queenmother 
  The queenmother advises the village chief and is seen as the “mother of the community.” As a female leader, she leads efforts in social welfare, education, women’s empowerment, child marriage prevention, orphan care, and HIV/AIDS prevention. In recent years, queenmothers have taken on increasingly active roles in decision-making. 

• Religious Leaders 
  In many parts of Ghana, Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions coexist. The CCPC includes representatives from these religions, promoting unity and community cohesion. For example, in one of the communities we visited, an Islamic school welcomed Muslim children. Religious tolerance is high, and communities celebrate one another’s festivals together. 

• Educators 
  Principals and teachers are also CCPC members. As trusted figures, they monitor children's well-being and serve as a bridge between home and school. Teachers not only instruct but also support children’s growth. Parents may consult them on childrearing, and teachers visit homes to offer guidance and support to families. 

• Local Councilors and District Officials 
  Ghana’s decentralized administrative structure consists of regions, metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies, as well as sub-district councils and unit committees. The CCPC incorporates elected district assembly members and appointed local government officials from the lowest administrative units, serving as a bridge to integrate community initiatives into the district’s medium-term development plans. Other CCPC participants include representatives from youth groups, women’s organizations, PTAs, and labour unions. 

Reflections on Visiting Ghana 

I was deeply moved by the community-wide support embodied by the CCPC. Such cohesive local involvement in child welfare is rare in Japan today. Even when families face difficulties, information is often not shared between homes, schools, and local governments. 

During my own childhood in rural Japan, neighbors naturally looked after each other’s children—bringing snacks when mothers were away or helping with childcare during commutes. That warm, forgotten memory came rushing back as I observed the caring scenes in Ghana, filling my heart with nostalgia and hope. 

Thanks to your generous support, the SMILE Ghana Project will continue to create safe and nurturing environments for children through the tireless work of CCPCs. 

We will continue to share the voices and faces of Ghanaian children and their communities, inviting you to reflect with us on how to build compassionate societies—both in Ghana and in Japan. 

We deeply appreciate your ongoing, warm support. 

Thank you very much for your continued support of the SMILE-Ghana Project. Your generosity has played a vital role in helping us protect children from hazardous labour and support their right to education.  

In this report, we share an update on the event held in Ghana in June 2024 to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour, along with stories and outcomes made possible by your contribution. 

A Visit to Ghana – June 2024 

In June 2024, ACE conducted a one-week field visit to monitor our SMILE-Ghana Project, which aims to eliminate child labour and support education in cacao-producing communities. 

The visit coincided with the World Day Against Child Labour (June 12). To mark the occasion, we held a special event across two target communities, featuring:  

• Child labour awareness sessions
• Health checkups so called Ghana Health Improvement Programme (GHIP)
• A school supply donation ceremony for children in need 

Health Care in Remote Communities: The GHIP Impact 

Our GHIP initiative brings public health officers to target communities once a year to provide free medical checkups and promote enrollment in the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). 

Why It Matters: 

Most communities in the project area lack hospitals and regular healthcare services. GHIP offers community residents a rare chance to understand and manage their health. 

NHIS Costs in Ghana: 

• Children: 6 cedis/year (~¥60) 
• Adults: 24 cedis/year (~¥243) 

This small investment can lower medical expenses, yet many families are unaware of the schemeor, even if they are aware of it, they assume that the cost of enrollment is much higher. 

“I didn’t know health insurance only cost 24 cedis,” saidZenabu, a cacao farmer and mother of twins. One of her sons was diagnosed with malaria, the other with intestinal worms during the checkup. 

She also shared how her husband once suffered a serious farm injury and, unable to afford hospital care, relied on herbal remedies and antibiotics from a pharmacy. 

School Supplies & a Powerful Dream: Helen’s Story 

As part of the event, we distributed school supplies to 80 children from economically challenged households. 

Among them was Helen(pseudonym), a determined girl who now attends school daily thanks to the project. Her commute takes over three hours round-trip on foot, yet she shows incredible dedication. 

We noticed she wasn’t wearing the new school uniform, and when asked why, she replied: 

“I want to save the uniform for when I enter junior high school next year.” 

 At night, she studies with a flashlight. Her dream? 

 “I want to become a doctor so I can take care of my sick mother.” 

Helen’s story came to light thanks to the Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC)— a group of community volunteers who monitor around the community to identify and prevent child labour. This local initiative is key to sustaining change after the project concludes. 

The “Cacao Shock” and Its Effects on Families 

You may have heard about the recent global spike in cacao prices— over three times higher than last year, a phenomenon dubbed the“Cacao Shock.” 

But here’s the reality on the ground: 

• Harvests in Ghana are sharply declining due to crop failure. 
• All 5 farmers reported lower yields. 
• 4 of them saw yields fall to less than half of the previous year. 
• Inflation has surged to 38.1%, making life even harder. 

Despite the cacao purchasing price increase, many families are earning less and struggling to afford essentials — including school meals. 

Can School Meals Continue? 

Our project currently covers school meals on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Parents cover Mondays and Tuesdays— but many are no longer able to pay due to poor harvests. 

To ensure long-term sustainability, we have taken the following policies: 

• Keep some level of parental contribution 
• Gradually increase community responsibility over time 

The School Management Committee agreed to try a new approach: 

“We’ll collect meal fees once a year at the beginning of the cacao harvest season, instead of monthly.” 

Even in crisis, the community is working hard to ensure children can continue attending school. 

Why Your Support Matters More Than Ever 

With rising poverty and child labour risks, the SMILE-Ghana Project has never been more crucial. 

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and encourage you to spread the word. Every contribution helps us build a future where every child can smile, learn, and dream.