News Guide Africa

Tag: Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD)

  • COCOBOD launches grassroots education drive on new cocoa bill in Konongo

    COCOBOD launches grassroots education drive on new cocoa bill in Konongo

    Barely a fortnight after Parliament passed the landmark Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, hundreds of cocoa farmers gathered in Konongo to engage directly with officials from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) regarding the new legislation and its long-term impact on their livelihoods.

    The sensitisation rally the first major grassroots gathering since the Bill’s passage drew farmers from across the Ashanti Region, including Juaben, Asiwa, Juaso, and Konongo. Organised as part of COCOBOD’s nationwide public education campaign, the event aimed to unpack key provisions of the law, address emerging misconceptions, and reinforce dialogue between regulators and producers.

    Addressing the gathering, the Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), Dr. Richard Adu Acheampong, reassured farmers that the updated legal framework is designed to protect their interests and modernize the sector.

    “This new legislation is built around the farmer,” Dr. Acheampong stated during his presentation. “Our goal today is to ensure that every provision from farmgate operations to productivity enhancements is fully understood at the community level so you can reap the direct benefits of these reforms.”

    Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Mr. Benjamin Larweh, stressed the importance of clear communication during the rollout phase.

    “Misinformation can undermine even the best policy,” Mr. Larweh noted. “That is why COCOBOD is taking accurate information straight to the grassroots. We are here to listen to your concerns, clarify every clause, and ensure complete transparency as we move into implementation.”

    During an interactive open forum, local farmers voiced strong support for the direct engagement while emphasizing the need for continuous dialogue across rural districts.

    “We welcome this new law, but education cannot end today,” said Nana Yaw Owusu, a local cocoa farmer from Juaso. “Many of us deep in the communities need regular updates so we know exactly how these legal changes affect our daily harvest and pricing.”

    The rally brought together several key local dignitaries, including the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asante Akim North, Hon. Sarah Amoako; representatives from the Asante Akim Central District Assembly; the Ashanti Region COCOSHE Secretary; and the Konongo District Chief Farmer.

    Speaking on behalf of local government authorities, Hon. Sarah Amoako praised the initiative: “The cocoa sector remains the backbone of our regional economy. Bringing COCOBOD leadership directly to Konongo gives our farmers confidence that their voices are heard at the highest levels of governance.”

    COCOBOD officials affirmed that similar sensitisation rallies will be rolled out across all cocoa-growing regions in the coming weeks to ensure full stakeholder alignment.

     

  • West African cocoa deficit drives futures to $5,925 as supply shocks reshape agri-investment strategy

    West African cocoa deficit drives futures to $5,925 as supply shocks reshape agri-investment strategy

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Institutional investors, commodity trading desks, and global food conglomerates are recalibrating risk models as a widening structural supply deficit in West Africa propels cocoa benchmark futures to US$5,925 per tonne.

    The market move reflects growing realization that declining harvest volumes across the region represent a long-term structural realignment rather than a brief seasonal bump, creating cost pressures for buyers while opening new entry points for agricultural private equity.

    The market situation follows official confirmation from Ghana’s cocoa regulator, COCOBOD, that national output for the 2026/27 season starting in September will drop by at least 16%. COCOBOD attributes the decline to severe weather linked to El Niño patterns, swollen shoot virus, aging plantations, and farm loss from illegal gold mining (galamsey) across key growing belts in the Western and Western North regions.

    Coupled with neighboring Côte d’Ivoire’s projected production drop of over 10%, approximately 60% of total global bean supply now faces severe output constraints.

    “For FMCG conglomerates and confectionery operators, rising input costs are shifting from a temporary cyclical headwind to a multi-year structural reality,” said a senior agri-food strategist at an institutional private equity firm. “The next 90 days represent a critical hedging window that will dictate corporate margins through 2027 as procurement teams work to lock in prices before tight inventories extend cost spikes.”

    Beyond raw material inflation, regional policy changes are actively driving capital realignment. In-country processing mandates highlighted by Nigeria’s export ban on raw cocoa beans aimed at doubling domestic processing revenues by 2030 are driving new capital deployments toward local cocoa butter, powder, and chocolate manufacturing facilities.

    “Regional policy shifts are accelerating downstream value-addition opportunities across West Africa,” noted a midstream commodity infrastructure analyst. “The transition from raw bean exportation to in-country grinding and refining is unlocking major infrastructure opportunities for private capital, helping governments capture significantly more value locally.”

    Despite reduced yields, elevated benchmark prices and the Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire price harmonisation agreement signed in June are helping insulate farmgate economics.

    “Elevated global prices offer a vital buffer to local farmgate revenue streams, altering credit risk profiles and supporting rural liquidity across farming communities,” explained a regional agricultural lending coordinator. “While COCOBOD has reintroduced nationwide free fertiliser schemes and plantation rehabilitation programs, restoring aging trees and degraded soil remains a multi-year effort. Capital is increasingly moving toward yield-remediation technologies, soil restoration, and disease-resistant plant breeding to offset land loss over the long term.”

     

  • Cocoa stakeholders back new legal protections …hails COCOBOD Chief’s reformative agenda

    Cocoa stakeholders back new legal protections …hails COCOBOD Chief’s reformative agenda

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Key stakeholders across Ghana’s cocoa value chain, including farmer associations and industry advocates, have commended the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, following the passage of the Cocoa Bill 2026.

    The legislation officially classifies cocoa trees as protected crops, shutting down legal loopholes and halting the arbitrary destruction of farms across major cocoa-growing belts.

    Speaking on behalf of industry civil society groups, Alistair Nelson of the Cocoa Network Forum praised the administration for establishing a firm statutory barrier against rapid land conversion, illegal mining, and unregulated commercial development.

    “For far too long, cocoa farmers have felt vulnerable to land speculators and predatory interests who clear farms without regard for the farmer’s livelihood or the country’s economy,” stated Alistair Nelson of the Cocoa Network Forum. “Dr. Randy Abbey and COCOBOD have demonstrated strong leadership by pushing for a modernized legal framework that places national interest and smallholder security at the forefront. Classifying cocoa as a protected crop gives our growers the legal backing they urgently need.”

     

    Farmer representatives across primary production regions also expressed overwhelming support for the new legal protections, noting that outdated statutes previously left their investments exposed.

    “We have watched cocoa farms cleared for timber, galamsey, and housing projects simply because old penalties were too weak to deter offenders,” noted Kwame Mensah, a veteran cocoa farmer and local cooperative leader. “This new law reassures us that our hard work is valued. COCOBOD’s intervention ensures that no one can just walk onto a cocoa farm and destroy trees at will.”

     

    Protecting Sector Capital and Land Security

    The legislation addresses the severe threat posed by aggressive land encroachment, which endangers both national output and the financial stability of agricultural investors.

    Addressing these challenges during a recent media engagement, Dr. Abbey highlighted how unchecked land sales to commercial third parties severely disrupt the sector.

    “The new law makes cocoa trees a protected crop to safeguard national and farmers’ interest,” Dr. Abbey stated. “They are destroying cocoa. Land sellers are giving these cocoa farms to timber companies, to mining companies, and now even to real estate developers across key cocoa-growing areas. They are clearing all the cocoa farms.”

    The COCOBOD chief warned that uncontrolled land clearing compounded by the fact that 40% of national cocoa acreage is affected by swollen shoot disease threatens the long-term viability of the nation’s cocoa footprint.

    “Consider the current situation,” Dr. Abbey noted. “COCOBOD is investing heavily in the cocoa sector, spending tens of millions of cedis and millions of dollars on fertilizers and agrochemicals, while employing more than 3,000 extension officers to support farmers. Yet people openly record themselves cutting down cocoa trees. How can that be acceptable?

    “People should not get the impression that the state is not investing in cocoa. The state is making significant investments and is therefore a stakeholder in the sector.”

    Dr. Abbey reassured landowners that the law focuses on crop preservation rather than property confiscation.

    “At the same time, the government is not saying that cocoa farms belong to the state,” he clarified. “This is different from minerals, where the land may belong to you but the minerals belong to the state, subject to compensation. We are not saying that all cocoa farms now belong to the government. The objective is simply to protect cocoa as an important national crop. Nobody is taking anyone’s land away.”

    Overhauling Penalties and Financial Protections

    Dr. Abbey criticized political commentators and detractors who dismiss the financial consequences of crop destruction, urging critics to recognize the economic strain placed on financial institutions and Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs).

    “When politicians were criticizing the law, I asked them whether they had gone to the banks to understand how the indebtedness in the cocoa sector was affecting their operations,” Dr. Abbey revealed. “I also asked whether they had visited the Licensed Buying Companies to see how the same indebtedness was affecting their businesses. The answer was no. Instead, they went straight to the farmers because that was the easier and more emotional approach.”

    He emphasized that modernizing the legal framework replaces obsolete statutes that failed to act as effective deterrents.

    “The issue raised about the courts relates to the 1979 decree,” Dr. Abbey pointed out. “The reason some people go ahead to destroy cocoa farms is because they have studied the decree and know the punishment stated in it. When you examine the 1979 decree, you realize that it is not adequate. The weakness of the law is one of the reasons why people continue to destroy cocoa farms.”

    Regulatory Support for Smallholders

    Defending the bill’s design, Dr. Abbey explained that Ghana requires statutory solutions aligned with domestic legal standards and human rights principles.

    “These laws exist because other countries do not have the same problems we have,” he noted, contrasting local legal mechanisms with enforcement approaches in neighboring countries. “If you look at how they deal with cocoa smuggling, we cannot easily do the same in Ghana because of concerns about human rights. In Côte d’Ivoire, they seize the smuggled cocoa and burn the truck carrying it. But Ghana has its own challenges, so we must find solutions that suit our own circumstances.”

    The COCOBOD boss reiterated that the legislation offers comprehensive backing across all farm sizes.

    “Regardless of whether a cocoa farm is 0.5 hectares or several thousand hectares, it is still recognized as a farm and is entitled to support,” Dr. Abbey stated, adding that administrative regulations governing authorizations will be laid before Parliament shortly.

    Preserving Industry Growth and Constitutional Order

    Responding to concerns raised during consultations with farmer groups, Dr. Abbey clarified that the law introduces regulatory oversight rather than outright prohibitions on farm management.

    “When we met with the farmer groups, the main concern they raised was about restrictions on cutting or destroying cocoa trees,” Dr. Abbey said. “However, the version they referred to did not even include the words ‘without authorization’. What the law is saying is simply that there cannot be a free-for-all where anyone cuts down cocoa trees at will.”

    He concluded by emphasizing COCOBOD’s commitment to safeguarding the long-term survival of Ghana’s primary cash crop.

    “We made the decision because we believe this is the best way to protect cocoa farms,” Dr. Abbey asserted. “If any Ghanaian believes there is a better way, they should present it to us, and we will consider it. In any case, once the President assents to the bill and it becomes law, any lawyer in this country is free to challenge its constitutionality in the Supreme Court.

    “At the end of the day, when my name is mentioned, it will be on record that we took the necessary steps to protect cocoa. If the courts decide those steps are unconstitutional, then we must respect that decision. So, if tomorrow cocoa becomes extinct, it should not be said that no one tried to protect it.”

     

  • Cocoa trees as protected crops will safeguard national and farmers’ interests – COCOBOD Chief

    Cocoa trees as protected crops will safeguard national and farmers’ interests – COCOBOD Chief

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s cocoa sector, revealing that the passed Cocoa Bill 2026 officially classifies cocoa trees as protected crops to curb farm destruction and legal loopholes.

    Speaking during a media engagement on the landmark legislation, Dr. Abbey highlighted the aggressive encroachment on cocoa lands across the country and underscored the urgent need for a modernized legal framework.

    “The new law makes cocoa trees a protected crop to safeguard national and farmers’ interest,” Dr. Abbey stated, pointing to widespread land conversion by land sellers and private interests as a major threat to national output.

    “They are destroying cocoa,” Dr. Abbey lamented. “Land sellers are giving these cocoa farms to timber companies, to mining companies, and now even to real estate developers across key cocoa-growing areas. They are clearing all the cocoa farms.”

    The COCOBOD chief expressed grave concern over the cumulative effect of land clearing and plant diseases, noting that the country’s cocoa footprint is shrinking at an alarming rate.

    “Already in Ghana, 40% of cocoa farms have been ravaged by swollen shoot disease 40%. This means they are not productive,” Dr. Abbey explained. He noted that without adequate legal protections, ongoing farm clearing alongside disease outbreaks risks shrinking national production even further.

    Addressing criticisms regarding regulatory oversight, Dr. Abbey defended the necessity of tailored Ghanaian solutions, contrasting local legal approaches with stricter enforcement mechanisms used in neighboring countries.

    “These laws exist because other countries do not have the same problems we have. If you look at how they deal with cocoa smuggling, we cannot easily do the same in Ghana because of concerns about human rights,” he noted. “In Côte d’Ivoire, they seize the smuggled cocoa and burn the truck carrying it. But Ghana has its own challenges, so we must find solutions that suit our own circumstances.”

    The proposed legislation also seeks to fix long-standing gaps in penalizing perpetrators who destroy farms. According to Dr. Abbey, offenders currently exploit outdated laws enacted decades ago.

    “The issue raised about the courts relates to the 1979 decree. The reason some people go ahead to destroy cocoa farms is because they have studied the decree and know the punishment stated in it,” Dr. Abbey revealed. “When you examine the 1979 decree, you realize that it is not adequate. We have a law from 1979 that is supposed to protect cocoa, but what sanctions does it actually provide? The weakness of the law is one of the reasons why people continue to destroy cocoa farms.”

    Dr. Abbey assured smallholder farmers that the new legal framework would protect and support all farm holdings regardless of size, noting that average farm sizes in Ghana sit at roughly three hectares compared to larger plantations elsewhere.

    “Regardless of whether a cocoa farm is 0.5 hectares or several thousand hectares, it is still recognized as a farm and is entitled to support,” he said, adding that details regarding authorization and enforcement will be clearly outlined in regulations to be submitted to Parliament soon.

     

  • COCOBOD kicks off nationwide engagements on landmark Cocoa Board Bill 2026

    COCOBOD kicks off nationwide engagements on landmark Cocoa Board Bill 2026

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has launched a nationwide stakeholder engagement series to unpack the newly passed Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, opening the dialogue with key industry actors at Cocoa House in Accra on Tuesday.

    The maiden session brought together leaders from cocoa farmer-based organisations, civil society groups, and the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG). Led by COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Randy Abbey and members of management, the meeting focused on the law’s expanded regulatory oversight, revised financing policies, and an updated producer pricing framework.

    Addressing delegates during the opening session, Dr. Randy Abbey emphasized that the legislation marks a structural shift aimed at securing the long-term viability of Ghana’s cocoa economy while placing farmers at the center of governance.

    “The Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026 is not merely a legal document; it is a blueprint for the modernization and sustainability of our cocoa sector,” Dr. Abbey stated. “Our objective with this nationwide exercise is to ensure that every stakeholder from our buying companies to the farmer in the village—understands their rights, responsibilities, and the protection this new framework guarantees.”

    Key focus areas of the discussions included farm protection mechanisms, enhanced supply chain traceability, updated licensing requirements, and the operational rollout of the Cocoa Farmer Pension Scheme.

    Reacting to the presentation, representatives of LICOBAG welcomed the statutory updates regarding financing and licensing, noting that clarity on regulatory oversight will boost confidence among operational buyers.

    “Clear rules of engagement benefit the entire value chain,” said a spokesperson for LICOBAG. “The detailed discussions on financing policy and licensing give licensed buyers a clearer roadmap for operations while aligning our practices with global traceability standards.”

    Farmer-based organizations also expressed optimism regarding the bill’s provisions on price stabilization and pension security, while stressing the need for continuous education as the law takes effect.

    “Our main priority has always been fair pricing, farm protection, and a dignified retirement for our farmers,” noted a senior representative from the cocoa farmer associations present. “Seeing these protections embedded in the legal framework gives us confidence, but the real work lies in ensuring these policies translate directly into the livelihoods of local farm communities.”

    Following the initial dialogue in Accra, COCOBOD announced that the consultation series will cascade to regional, district, and local cocoa society levels across the country to build widespread understanding and ensure smooth implementation.

     

     

  • COCOBOD reforms strengthen Ghana’s cocoa value chain and derisk agricultural investment

    COCOBOD reforms strengthen Ghana’s cocoa value chain and derisk agricultural investment

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Parliament’s passage of the revised Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Act has delivered a significant boost to investor confidence, establishing stronger regulatory enforcement and statutory asset protections designed to stabilize supply chains, protect capital, and safeguard market integrity.

    The modernized framework addresses critical supply-side risks by introducing severe criminal penalties for smuggling, unlicensed purchasing, and quality tampering, while granting inspectors broad powers of entry, search, and seizure.

    By curtailing leakage into informal and cross-border channels, the legislation reinforces transparency and predictability for domestic and international stakeholders across the cocoa value chain.

    “For institutional investors and off-takers, regulatory certainty and supply chain integrity are non-negotiable,” said Dr Randy Abbey, COCOBOD Chief Executive in an interview following the bill’s passage. “This law arms our enforcement officers with the statutory teeth required to enter suspicious premises, seize illegal consignments, and eliminate grey-market arbitrage that distorts fair valuation.”

    Beyond anti-smuggling directives, the law addresses long-standing agricultural vulnerabilities by officially designating all cocoa farms as “protected economic assets.” This title creates a strict legal framework governing land use and sets binding regulations for mandatory compensation when cocoa trees are destroyed, damaged, or affected by infrastructural developments, mining activities, or disease eradication programs.

    “Cocoa farmers have historically borne the brunt of land encroachment and arbitrary destruction of their crops without prompt or adequate restitution,” noted Nana Osei Bonsu, President of the National Cocoa Farmers Association. “By designating our farms as protected lands, Parliament has finally given us a legal shield. The clear compensation rules ensure that no farmer will be left destitute if their trees are impacted.”

    Industry analysts expect the legislation to stabilize the domestic supply chain, safeguard the international reputation of Ghana’s premium cocoa beans, and deter illicit cross-border syndicates.

    “This is not merely a regulatory update; it is an economic defense measure,” explained Dr. Evelyn Mensah, a senior agricultural economist at the University of Ghana. “By securing quality compliance and protecting the primary producer, the law reinforces the integrity of the entire value chain.”

     

    The Ministry of Finance and COCOBOD are expected to roll out nationwide sensitization campaigns in the coming weeks to educate farming communities, licensed buying companies, and local task forces on the new provisions before full operational enforcement begins.

     

  • U.S. investors target Ghana’s cocoa sector …as Ga Mantse and COCOBOD push for strategic partnerships

    U.S. investors target Ghana’s cocoa sector …as Ga Mantse and COCOBOD push for strategic partnerships

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed 

     

    In a major push to boost foreign direct investment and promote sustainable development within Ghana’s agricultural sector, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, yesterday led a high-level delegation of potential investors from the United States on an official courtesy call to the management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

    The strategic visit aimed to provide the American delegation with firsthand insight into Ghana’s renowned cocoa value chain, opening doors for prospective collaborations in cocoa plantation development, environmental management, processing, research, and long-term sustainable investments.

    Unlocking Opportunities Across the Value Chain

    Addressing the delegation and COCOBOD officials during the meeting, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II underscored the importance of leveraging international partnerships to modernize the agricultural landscape and maximize local value creation.

    “Our goal is to build bridges that bring sustainable development, technology, and capital into key sectors of our economy,” the Ga Mantse stated. “Ghana’s cocoa industry remains a pillar of our national heritage and economy. Partnering with international investors who bring expertise and capital will ensure that we not only sustain this vital sector but also transform it for the benefit of future generations.”

     

    The delegation expressed strong interest in expanding beyond raw bean exports, focusing heavily on local processing capacity, advanced agricultural research, and eco-friendly farming practices.

    Reforms and Resilience at COCOBOD

    Welcoming the traditional monarch and the U.S. delegation, COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Randy Abbey briefed the visitors on the board’s proactive transformation agenda. He highlighted major structural shifts currently underway, particularly the transition to a new domestic financing model set to take effect for the upcoming 2026/2027 cocoa season.

    Dr. Abbey emphasized that while Ghana’s cocoa sector holds massive investment potential, protecting the ecosystem and addressing systemic industry challenges remain top priorities.

    “We are aggressively reforming our operations to build a more self-reliant and resilient cocoa sector,” Dr. Abbey explained. “Increasing our domestic processing capacity and transitioning to sustainable financing are key steps forward. However, realizing the full value of our cocoa requires strong strategic partnerships to tackle critical threats such as the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD), illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change.”

     

    He added that COCOBOD’s vision aligns perfectly with investor interests that prioritize environmental stewardship and local community development.

    “We are open to partnerships that do not just extract value, but actively invest in our environment, our research institutions, and our farmers,” Dr. Abbey noted.

    A Vision for Sustainable Growth

    Members of the U.S. delegation praised the Ga Mantse for his leadership in facilitating the meeting and commended COCOBOD for its forward-thinking reforms. A representative from the investor group noted that the stability of Ghana’s cocoa sector and its shift toward localized processing present a compelling environment for sustainable impact investment.

    The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to set up technical working discussions to map out specific investment frameworks, particularly in modern plantation management and sustainable processing facilities.

    COCOBOD reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to forging robust global alliances aimed at securing a prosperous, sustainable, and climate-resilient cocoa industry for Ghana.

     

     

     

     

     

  • New COCOBOD law grants ‘Cocoa Inspectors’ Police powers; guarantees 70% price floor to save sector

     

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    ​Ghana’s cocoa industry is facing a major enforcement and structural shake-up under the newly proposed Ghana Cocoa Board Bill 2026, which shifts the country’s cocoa policy toward aggressive farm protection, tougher anti-smuggling powers, and strict price guarantees for farmers.

    ​The new law replaces the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 1984 (P.N.D.C.L. 81) and repeals redundant legacy statutes, including N.R.C.D. 265 and A.F.R.C.D. 47, to eliminate overlapping regulations that have burdened the industry since independence.

    ​Moving beyond administrative updates, the passed bill grants cocoa inspectors police-equivalent powers of “entry, search, seizure and arrest” to crack down on unlicensed purchasing, quality non-compliance, tampering, and illegal bean smuggling.

    ​Presenting the rationale for fast-tracking the bill in Parliament, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga highlighted the need to address long-standing operational and pricing challenges facing cocoa farmers.

    ​”We are determined to bring an end to the problems of cocoa farmers, and we will do it by passing this law,” Ayariga declared on the floor of the House. “You can no longer delay the solution to the problem of cocoa farmers. Cocoa pricing and a robust system of price risk management are at the very heart of this crisis.”

    ​According to the bill’s background documentation, the existing framework relied on a “patchwork of separate enactments” that created “overlaps, gaps and inconsistencies that hampered enforcement” while failing to keep pace with modern technologies, international traceability standards, and global price volatility.

    ​Police Powers for Inspectors and Farm Protections

    ​To combat environmental threats and illicit trade, the bill introduces tough enforcement mechanisms. The sector has suffered from “illegal mining (galamsey) on cocoa land, land degradation, cocoa swollen shoot virus, climate variability, and child labour concerns”.

    ​Under the new law, cocoa farms are officially designated as “protected” areas, strictly limiting nearby extractive activities and establishing clear rules for compensating growers when trees are damaged.

    ​Furthermore, cocoa inspectors will be armed with police-equivalent powers of entry, search, seizure, and arrest to suppress illegal smuggling, unlicensed buying, bean tampering, and quality non-compliance.

    ​”The proposed funding model and legal statutory anchoring will broaden participation in the cocoa economy, safeguard domestic liquidity, and better protect farmer incomes against global price volatility,” noted COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Ransford Abbey during recent stakeholder discussions on the sector’s financial reform.

    ​Economic Safety Nets and Local Value Addition

    ​Beyond physical protection, the bill introduces reforms aimed directly at improving farmer livelihoods and boosting domestic processing:

    Guaranteed Income: Establishes a formula-driven pricing model featuring “a floor guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of realised world market price”.

    ​Social Security: Creates dedicated statutory bodies including the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme and the Educational Trust Scheme.

    ​Support for Local Artisans: Eases “disproportionately high tonnage thresholds that previously shut out small-scale chocolatiers and processors” to foster local value addition.

    ​Digital Tracking: Deploys a national Cocoa Management and Traceability System to handle farmer registration, digital payments, and international quality compliance.

    ​Overhauling Governance and Oversight

    ​Replacing a 40-year-old framework built on a “patchwork of separate enactments” that created “overlaps, gaps and inconsistencies,” the new law formalizes supervision under the Ministry of Finance. It also establishes a 12-member Board of Directors, a new Dispute Resolution Committee, and an appellate Cocoa Board Tribunal to ensure transparent governance across the value chain.

    ​Key Statutory and Financial Highlights

    ​The 2026 legislation introduces structural changes across pricing, governance, and social security:

    ​Guaranteed Producer Price Floor: Establishes a formula-driven pricing model featuring “a floor guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of realised world market price”.

    ​New Statutory Funds: Creates dedicated accounts, including the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, Educational Trust Scheme, Cocoa Sector Legacy Debt Sinking Fund, and the Cocoa Stabilisation and Diversification Fund.

    Risk & Hedging Framework: Installs a formal Cocoa Price Risk and Hedging Policy managed by a specialized committee to buffer against global commodity shocks.

    Support for Local Processing: Eases high tonnage thresholds that previously excluded small-scale chocolatiers, setting progressive targets for domestic cocoa bean processing.

    ​Formal Governance Charter: Introduces a 12-member Board of Directors (including farmer and staff representatives), confines COCOBOD strictly to core cocoa functions, and formalizes oversight under the Ministry of Finance.

    ​Digitalization and Stakeholder Engagement

    ​To align with modern international due-diligence standards, the bill establishes a national Cocoa Management and Traceability System covering farmer registration, digital payments, and quality assurance.

    ​It also creates a non-binding Cocoa Sector Forum to bring together farmers, licensed buying companies, processors, and civil society groups, alongside an appellate Cocoa Board Tribunal and Dispute Resolution Committee to handle industry grievances transparently.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • COCOBOD backs Italian investment surge to drive local cocoa transformation

    COCOBOD backs Italian investment surge to drive local cocoa transformation

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Ghana’s drive to transform its cocoa sector from exporting raw beans to local processing has received a major boost, following a high-level strategic meeting between the management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and an Italian investment delegation led by the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Laura Ranalli.

    The delegation included top executives from BF International, Italy’s largest agricultural group with an expanding operational footprint across Africa. The meeting sought to explore key investment avenues and cement partnerships within Ghana’s agricultural sector.

    The “Cocoa Connect Initiative”

    Briefing the leadership of COCOBOD, Ambassador Ranalli highlighted Italy’s commitment to spearheading new industrial partnerships between the Italian agribusiness community and Ghana.

    Central to the discussions was the proposed “Cocoa Connect Initiative,” a collaborative framework designed to unite public, private, and scientific institutions to transition Ghana’s cocoa industry beyond raw bean exports into high-value semi-finished and finished chocolate products.

    “My outfit is fully prepared to spearhead these new partnerships between the Italian agribusiness community and COCOBOD,” H.E. Ranalli stated during the briefing. “Through the ‘Cocoa Connect Initiative,’ we aim to unite our public, private, and scientific institutions to ensure we move Ghana’s cocoa industry beyond raw bean exports and directly into high-value semi-finished and finished products.”

     

    A flagship feature of the initiative is a proposed 3,000-hectare mechanized cocoa development zone in Ghana. The state-of-the-art facility, to be established by BF International, will serve as the technological engine powering the project’s broader processing and export goals.

    COCOBOD Pledges Full Institutional Backing

    Responding to the proposal, the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey, expressed strong enthusiasm for the venture, affirming the Board’s readiness to provide technical, agronomic, and institutional backing to bring the project to fruition.

    “Local value addition sits at the very heart of Ghana’s cocoa transformation agenda,” Dr. Abbey emphasized. “We welcome BF International’s desire to invest directly within our economy. Both Ghana and Italy stand to leverage our respective strengths to expand our global market share while significantly boosting our local processing capacities.”

     

    Dr. Abbey assured the Italian delegation that COCOBOD would deploy a specialized team of experts to ensure the smooth rollout of the technology-driven farm.

    “I want to assure the delegation that a dedicated team of COCOBOD experts will support this investment every step of the way with top-tier research, agronomy, and all necessary technical services,” the Chief Executive added.

     

    The partnership represents a significant step in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to retain greater value from its cocoa production, modernize farming practices through technology, and deepen bilateral trade relations with Italy.

     

  • The 75% Bloc: COCOBOD Chief rallies W/A nations to end ‘exporting raw poverty’ in historic cocoa revolution

    The 75% Bloc: COCOBOD Chief rallies W/A nations to end ‘exporting raw poverty’ in historic cocoa revolution

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed 

     

    In a bid to overturn a century-old economic contradiction, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Ransford A. Abbey, has made a passionate call to Nigeria and Cameroon to join forces with Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

    The goal is to form a unified African cocoa bloc controlling a decisive 75% of the world’s cocoa output to command price sovereignty and accelerate local processing.

    Speaking at the Cocoa Value Addition Summit 2026 in Abuja under the theme “Moving Beyond The Bean: Unifying Africa For Value Addition And Price Sovereignty,” Dr. Abbey lamented that while West African nations produce the lion’s share of global cocoa, they remain trapped in a colonial economic cycle.

    “Africa produces nearly 75-77% of the world’s cocoa beans, yet our continent earns less than 10% of the global chocolate industry’s wealth,” Dr. Abbey stated. “For decades, we have, and continue to package our sweat and toil into raw jute bags, shipping them off to foreign shores. In return, we import high-priced finished chocolate products and economic vulnerability. This system cannot stand. We must shift the paradigm from exporting raw poverty to creating refined wealth right here on the African continent.”

    Ditching Offshore Loans for Local Financing

    To back this paradigm shift, Dr. Abbey announced a historic departure from COCOBOD’s traditional financing methods. Effective from the 2026/27 crop year, Ghana will abandon its 79-year-old reliance on foreign syndicated loans in favor of an independent, domestic funding framework.

    This operational shift is explicitly designed to empower local processors who have historically operated at less than half capacity due to bean shortages locked up in foreign export contracts.

    ● Financial Autonomy: The new model establishes a domestic financing system that provides liquidity without forcing COCOBOD to lock in advance export contracts.

    ● Access for Local Processors: COCOBOD will gain the flexibility to sell directly to local factories, actively supporting Ghana’s aggressive policy target to process at least 50% of its cocoa beans at home starting in the 2026/27 season.

    “We are moving away from restrictive offshore syndicated loans and other funding regimes implemented over the past 79 years,” Dr. Abbey explained. “Hence, COCOBOD will now have the flexibility to sell any quantity of cocoa beans directly to local processors. This will increase access to beans and working capital, thereby increasing capacity utilization.”

     

    The Push for a 75% Global Cocoa Alliance

    The highlight of the summit was Dr. Abbey’s strategic push to expand the existing Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI). Following a High-level Presidential Summit in Abidjan on June 16, 2026, where Ghanaian President John Mahama and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara harmonized their farm-gate pricing policies, the alliance is ready to scale up.

    Dr. Abbey revealed that President Mahama and President Ouattara will personally engage Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Cameroon’s President Paul Biya to seal a binding economic pact.

    By coordinating crop calendars and supply management, the unified bloc intends to prevent international buyers from artificially depressing cocoa prices.

    “As separate nations, global buyers play us against one another to crash prices,” Dr. Abbey warned. “But as a unified front, Africa should dictate the direction of the market. Our cooperation will send a clear message: we will protect our environment, but we will no longer tolerate sustainability without fair compensation.”

    Confronting Western Demands

    The COCOBOD Chief also took aim at stringent regulations regularly imposed by Western consumer markets, emphasizing that an expanded African alliance would provide the collective bargaining power needed to push back against unfair trade demands.

    Looking forward, Dr. Abbey noted that Ghana will carry this message of origin-led resilience to the global stage when it hosts the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting in Accra in March 2027.

    “The destiny of millions of our hardworking farmers, and the acceleration of value addition in the cocoa economy, rests in our hands,” Dr. Abbey concluded. “We do not need charity; they deserve equity.”