Authors
Thomas Yeboah, James Boafo
Publication date
2024/1/2
Journal
Children's Geographies
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
149-164
Publisher
Routledge
Description
The aim of this paper is to investigate the social significance of children’s work in cashew supply chain activities in Ghana. Using survey and semi-structured interviews, we gathered data from 218 children working in cashew supply chain activities in Ghana. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis approach. The results show that children’s involvement in various stages of cashew supply chain activities is highly gendered. Working in cashew supply chain allowed children to gain farming and life skills, earn income to meet some school expenses, and support household livelihood building efforts. Work allowed children to meet their peers outside of the home economy to engage in conversational activities that are not easily supplied by leisure activities. While there are perceived negative implications of children’s work on schooling, we conclude by reiterating the need for policy to …