Ghana’s Ministry of Food & Agriculture launches Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Association
The cooperation aims to amplify the farmer’s voice by shaping public and private policies.
GHANA – Ghana has introduced a farmer’s association cooperation to drive growth and sustainability in the cocoa sector.
Named the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Association & Marketing Ltd, the initiative was launched to strengthen cocoa farmers’ needs by ensuring better support and opportunities for growth.
Established in November 2024, the cooperation comprises of 75 cooperative unions from nine cocoa-growing regions in the country.
Key industry stakeholders, including Solidaridad, AgriTerra, the World Cocoa Foundation, the Ghana Cooperative Council, the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative, and Zenith Bank, sent solidarity messages at the launch event.
The Association’s President, Mr Issifu Issaka, emphasised the critical role of the cocoa farmer in cocoa production.
“We are committed to amplifying the voices of cocoa farmers, advocating for their rights and welfare, establishing enterprises, and contributing to a sustainable and thriving cocoa sector in Ghana,” he said.
He highlighted the farmers’ challenges, including low yields, poverty, climate change, and limited control over cocoa pricing.
He spoke about how climate change has negatively impacted the sector and called on the government to provide irrigation facilities to enhance cocoa production.
The President appealed to the government to increase the producer price for cocoa to improve farmers’ incomes.
The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr Randy Anertey Abbey, described cooperatives as essential players in the cocoa value chain and emphasised their critical role in promoting the Board’s programmes and initiatives.
He assured farmers that COCOBOD is developing strategies to provide critical support services, such as inputs, fertilisers, and logistics, to improve cocoa productivity.
Regarding cocoa prices, Dr Abbey also urged farmers not to hoard their cocoa beans in anticipation of higher prices.
“This year promises a good harvest. We need the beans to sell and generate the necessary revenue to continue supporting you,” he said.
Dr Francis Baah, Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control, encouraged cocoa farmers to reinvest farm proceeds to enhance their businesses.
The Global President of the World Cocoa Farmers Organization (WCFO), Nana Abraham Adusei and Nana Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV, Chief of Akyem Tafo, encouraged farmers to support government efforts to combat illegal mining and smuggling.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
