Ghana is one of the largest cocoa producers in the world. An estimated 1.5 million children are exploited there for the collective consumption of chocolate products. Many of them carry out dangerous work such as clearing the cultivated areas with chainsaws, harvesting cocoa pods with machetes and handling harmful pesticides. According to the 2016 study "Children at the Heart" by Embode, an estimated 40 percent of children in Ghana's cocoa-growing regions are exposed to these dangers and thus to constant violations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the applicable national law, which is often not enforced. Abuses from which profit is also made in this country: 9.5 percent of the global cocoa harvest is processed in Germany, one of the countries with the highest per capita consumption of cocoa products.

Many people are not even aware of the problem of modern slavery. What does modern slavery mean?

Roller: Essentially, it's the same as it was in the past: people are exploited commercially as commodities and against their will. The term "modern slavery" is intended to draw attention to the sad fact that this age-old crime is still being committed worldwide, even though it is illegal in most countries of the world. However, it manifests itself in many modern forms, in global supply chains and services. In fact, more people are enslaved today than ever before.

What is IJM doing to stop slavery and violence against people living in poverty?

Roller: People living in poverty not only lack access to money and education, they also lack the protection of the legal system. This is why they become victims of violence and slavery. IJM (International Justice Mission) works with governments and authorities to change this. Together with the police and judiciary, we free people from slavery and violent situations and accompany those affected into a life of freedom. We are also committed to the conviction and successful sentencing of perpetrators. Finally, we work with governments and authorities to tackle the roots of the problem in the legal system, for example by training the police and judiciary.

To what extent are the consequences of modern slavery being felt in Germany?

Roller: On average, around 60 people work as slaves for each and every one of us. Many of the dumping prices of imported products on our shelves would not be possible otherwise. This applies, for example, to electronic products, clothing, but also foodstuffs such as cocoa or fish. But of course people are also enslaved here in Germany. This is evident, for example, in forced prostitution. Germany is an important hotspot in Europe for women who are trafficked from Romania and Albania, for example.

One of the products that is imported to Germany the most is cocoa. How can we imagine the conditions/working conditions in the cocoa industry and on the plantations?

Roller: The work on the plantations is hard and sometimes dangerous or at least harmful to health. A lot of the work is done by hand: clearing with chainsaws, harvesting with machetes, applying pesticides. The worst thing is that this hard work is often carried out by minors. It is estimated that around 1.5 million children work on the plantations of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, the largest exporters of cocoa. Among them are children who may be deliberately abducted and then exploited.

The mug is available in selected KPM stores until the end of 2021.

These are truly terrible conditions that many of us were probably not even aware of because we hardly receive any information about them. IJM has launched a very special project in Ghana to provide this information and raise awareness. Can you say anything more about this?

Roller: At the end of 2020, we were able to launch our own project in Ghana with funding from GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) on behalf of the BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). The first step is to gain a precise understanding of the forms of child labor and their backgrounds. In the next step, we will examine which weaknesses in law enforcement facilitate the exploitation of children. And then we will support the education of the population. All with the aim of ensuring that children are better protected in future and that exploitation can really be put to a sustainable end.

What is special about KPM Berlin as a cooperation partner for this project?

Roller: The appearance and actions of companies are of great importance in the fight against slavery. The attitude with which they work, how they use their voice vis-à-vis customers, how they perceive their role in society. That carries weight. When a traditional brand like KPM takes such a clear stance and joins us in publicly opposing slavery, we are particularly pleased! We share a high regard for quality, sustainability and good work. That's what KPM stands for, that's what we stand for together.

What significance does the KPM To-go mug in IJM blue have for you as an ambassador for freedom?

Roller: We need to talk about this together without shame: It's 2021 and every form of slavery must finally come to an end! KPM is backing this cause with all its work and a clear stance. The mug is therefore a great and bold statement. And with the to-go mug, everyone has the chance to take a clear stand in their everyday lives and literally bring this important issue to the world.

What advice can you give to anyone who wants to take a stand against modern slavery?

Roller: The most important step is the decision to deal with it: to raise awareness of the problem, look at your own consumption, inform yourself and ask manufacturers questions, for example. If you know more, you will then start talking about it with others all by yourself. Over 1,000 IJM ambassadors are doing just that all over Germany, providing information and getting involved politically. Last but not least, every donation to us is of course a valuable investment in the future and enables us to liberate people.

About Dietmar Roller

What motivates a social scientist and theologian from the Swabian Alb to take children out of silver mines in Bolivia or to search for missing minors in brothels in the Philippines? In Dietmar Roller's case, it was his many stirring experiences in international development cooperation. Through his many missions for victims of poverty and exploitation, he knows that improving legal systems plays a crucial role in the fight against human trafficking. As a globally sought-after expert, he makes the problem of slavery an important issue in development cooperation.

About IJM Deutschland e.V.

IJM Deutschland e.V. is the German branch of the world's largest anti-slavery organization, International Justice Mission. We work with governments and local authorities to improve legal systems in order to combat violence against people living in poverty and guarantee their protection. A particular focus is on the abolition of slavery and human trafficking. We work at 30 locations in 22 countries worldwide with over 1,000 employees.

Further information can be found here.