Ivorian and Ghanaian leaders strengthen sustainable cocoa efforts

Abidjan recently hosted a landmark summit where Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and his Ghanaian counterpart John Dramani Mahama reinforced their shared commitment to reshaping the cocoa industry. Together, they outlined key measures to create a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable cocoa economy that benefits producers, national economies, and the broader African continent. The decisions included aligning producer price policies, boosting value addition, and expanding this strategic initiative to include additional African nations.

The gathering highlighted the critical role of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana as global leaders in cocoa production, with both countries pledging to champion the interests of smallholder farmers. Their joint vision aims to secure a more prosperous and sustainable future for Africa’s cocoa sector, which currently supplies 60% of the world’s cocoa and supports millions of livelihoods across the continent.

President Ouattara emphasized the pivotal role of cocoa in mobilizing resources for national development, calling it both a social and economic priority. He underscored the indispensable contribution of cocoa farmers, stating, “The farmer is at the heart of this industry. It is through their daily labor that the global chocolate industry thrives. They are the backbone of this sector’s strength, legitimacy, and future.” He also celebrated the progress made since the 2018 Abidjan Declaration, which established a minimum price differential to improve farmer incomes and demonstrate the impact of coordinated state action on global cocoa prices.

The leader acknowledged ongoing challenges, including price volatility, climate change impacts, aging cocoa trees, illegal gold mining encroaching on farmland, and evolving international sustainability standards. These hurdles, he noted, require continued collaboration and innovative solutions.

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama echoed this optimism, praising the successful Ivorian-Ghanaian cocoa partnership and stressing the importance of empowering farmers. He outlined plans to share best practices, increase sector investments, and engage other African cocoa-producing nations to strengthen the global market’s presence. “Our shared goal is to empower farmers and equip them with all they need to continue producing sustainably,” he stated.

Both leaders expressed confidence in the partnership’s ability to drive lasting change, reaffirming their dedication to a fairer and more sustainable cocoa industry for generations to come.