Combating Labor Challenges in Ghana

SIRF is supporting research to help combat child labor and trafficking (CLaT) activities within Ghana’s seafood sector.

Kristine Beran, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, is conducting field-based analysis throughout Ghana’s fishing community. Ms. Beran’s findings will evaluate the effectiveness of anti-CLaT measures already in use.

Ms. Beran has established connections with various stakeholders operating throughout the local and national anti-CLaT spheres, like the Central and Western Fishmongers Improvement Association (CEWEFIA), a project partner of USAID’s work in the region.

Based in Elmina, Ms. Beran is identifying the activities most likely to prevent labor abuses within Ghana’s marine fishery. These activities include behavior-change communications initiatives conducted at the community level, such as dramas/role plays, radio campaigns, and the use of Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs) and Community Action Plans to prevent CLaT in the fisheries sector.

Ms. Beran has interviewed 18/40 CCPC members as key informants regarding their role in the community and perceived impact surrounding project activities. In addition to these interviews, Ms. Beran has attended two USAID/SFMP partner meetings regarding anti-CLaT activities, including a discussion of scaling up certain activities and introducing new anti-CLaT activities.

Participating in a live broadcast of the hour-long, weekly radio campaign about CLaT in the fisheries sector, Ms. Beran interviewed the radio host and panel speakers to gain a better understand of the show’s content and intended impact.

Ms. Beran will continue her work, which includes a cost-benefit analysis of anti-CLaT programs, and plans to present preliminary findings at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana in August.