Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire jointly dominate the global cocoa industry, serving as the two largest producers of the crop worldwide. In 2020, Côte d’Ivoire led with an impressive 44.4% share of total global cocoa output, while Ghana followed as the second-largest contributor, accounting for 16.3%. Together, these West African nations are responsible for well over half of the world’s cocoa supply, underscoring their central role in the international chocolate value chain.

Together, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire dominate the global cocoa market, producing around 60% of the world’s cocoa supply. Ghana’s cocoa production reached a historic peak of 1.047 million metric tons during the 2020/2021 season. However, the sector has since faced multiple challenges, including adverse weather, climate change, and pest infestations, all of which have impacted yields and farmer incomes.

To restore confidence and stimulate renewed growth in the cocoa sector, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Ransford Abbey, has embarked on a strategic tour of cocoa-producing communities. His mission is to directly engage farmers, strengthen relationships with traditional authorities, and provide assurance of better prospects for the upcoming 2025/2026 cocoa season.

Dr. Abbey’s two-day visit, which took place on Tuesday, April 27 and Wednesday, April 28, 2025, included stops in the Bono and Ahafo regions both key cocoa-producing areas in Ghana. The tour began with a courtesy call on the Queen Mother of Dormaa, Odeneho Dr. Akosua Frema Dwaben II, at the Dormaa Abanpredease Palace. Emphasizing the importance of community and tradition, Dr. Abbey remarked, “The headquarters is in Accra, but the real work is here with the farmers. We must draw closer to them, and to you the custodians of the land for your prayers and wise counsel.”

The Queen Mother welcomed the visit and urged COCOBOD to prioritize policies that ensure long-term sustainability and fair earnings for farmers. “We know how valuable cocoa is to this country. I urge you to review the producer price to reflect the value of the farmers’ effort and to improve their livelihoods,” she said.

Addressing farmers in various communities, Dr. Abbey pledged that COCOBOD would announce a new producer price in August 2025, which would exceed that offered in Côte d’Ivoire. “We are committed to rewarding your hard work with competitive prices. When the new season opens in August, we will introduce a pricing structure that ensures Ghanaian cocoa farmers earn more than their counterparts across the border,” he assured.

During open forums with cocoa growers, farmers raised concerns about key issues affecting productivity and sustainability. Veteran farmer Joseph Kwame Amoakoh of Apataasu No. 2 in the Ahafo Region, who has cultivated cocoa for over fifty years, called on the government to implement tree planting initiatives in cocoa-growing areas. “Climate change is hurting us. We need enforced tree planting and timely delivery of insecticides to save our farms,” he appealed.

Another farmer, Paulina Takyi Agyeman, stressed the need for gender-specific support, especially for young women in cocoa farming. “If the government wants to attract more youth into cocoa farming, particularly women, then it must introduce incentives and soft loans to make farming more attractive and profitable,” she said.

As anticipation builds for the new cocoa season and the promised price revision, farmers across Ghana remain cautiously optimistic that reforms and renewed government engagement will usher in a more prosperous era for the cocoa sector.