COCOBOD Swears Cocoa Prices Will Stay Sweet — Even When the Beans Get Bitter

Despite facing tough times in the cocoa sector, COCOBOD insists farmers will still get fair prices to keep Ghana’s golden beans thriving.

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has underscored its unwavering commitment to offering competitive and sustainable producer prices to cocoa farmers, even in the face of economic constraints and sectoral disruptions.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement at Attronso in the Sefwi Bekwai District as part of his maiden three-day working tour of the Western North Region, Dr. Ransford Anettey Abbey, Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to revitalise Ghana’s cocoa industry. He disclosed that the Board is actively reviewing the producer price of cocoa for the upcoming 2025/2026 crop season, signaling the government‘s continued commitment to improving farmer incomes.

“Despite fiscal pressures and market volatility, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure cocoa farmers receive a fair, remunerative price for their produce. This is not just about economics it’s about dignity, sustainability, and the future of our cocoa heritage,” Dr. Abbey stated.

Dr. Abbey expressed concern over the aging population of cocoa farmers, warning that it poses a critical threat to the long-term sustainability of the sector. To counter this, he revealed plans to modernise cocoa farming practices and make the industry more appealing to Ghana’s youth.

“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to introduce modern tools, mechanisation, and digital solutions to transform cocoa farming from a labor-intensive tradition into a tech-driven profession of choice. Our goal is to bridge the generational gap and make cocoa cultivation a viable and attractive venture for young entrepreneurs.” he said.

Addressing environmental challenges, Dr. Abbey announced a strategic pivot toward climate-smart agriculture. He disclosed that COCOBOD is rolling out an ambitious irrigation initiative aimed at mitigating the effects of erratic rainfall caused by climate change.

However, he noted that the success of such interventions hinges on collective action.

“We cannot implement irrigation systems for individual farmers, it’s costly, and access to water sources has been severely affected by illegal mining (galamsey). Cooperative farming is the way forward,” he explained

The challenge, he added, is further compounded by illegal mining (galamsey), which has severely affected access to water resources in cocoa-growing areas.

In a move to fortify the industry’s legal infrastructure, COCOBOD is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to revise laws governing the protection of cocoa trees. The reforms aim to guard against environmental threats particularly land degradation from illegal mining and ensure the sustainability of cocoa as a national economic asset.

“Cocoa farming is a source of generational wealth. We must protect our trees, our lands, and our future,” Dr. Abbey declared.

The COCOBOD boss also addressed the recurrent issue of diverted farming inputs. He assured cocoa farmers that timely delivery of fertilizers and agrochemicals would be a top priority under his leadership. He vowed strict accountability for any misconduct in the supply chain.

“We are investing significantly in these inputs to support our farmers. Any diversion or abuse of this system will not be tolerated,” he cautioned.

Dr. Abbey concluded by calling on all stakeholders from farmers and cooperatives to exporters and policymakers to align behind a unified vision for the cocoa sector. He stressed that the transformation and sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry require collective effort, transparency, and a shared commitment to excellence.

With cocoa remaining Ghana’s top agricultural export and a key contributor to GDP, COCOBOD’s renewed focus on farmer welfare, modernization, and legal reform signals an evolving cocoa sector with opportunities for private sector investment in agro-tech, irrigation infrastructure, youth training, and cooperative development. Investors and stakeholders would be wise to align with COCOBOD’s forward-looking agenda.

Last Updated on April 26, 2025 by samboad