EU pressures Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire to accelerate cocoa reforms 

GHANA – Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are facing renewed calls from the European Union and French development partners to speed up long-pending reforms in the cocoa sector, following warnings that both countries risk losing competitiveness under emerging global sustainability requirements.  

The appeal was made during a two-day Cocoa4Future feedback workshop held in Accra, where researchers presented findings from a five-year EU- and AFD-funded programme covering agroforestry, disease control, certification practices, farmer welfare, and climate resilience. 

EU representatives emphasized that without faster adoption of agroforestry, stronger deforestation controls, and improved labour safeguards, cocoa from West Africa could face increasing hurdles under new European sustainability rules and tightening buyer expectations. The research outlined several systemic weaknesses and potential reform pathways for the sector. 

According to the findings, many farmers continue to favour low- or no-shade cocoa production systems, which offer higher short-term yields but weaken long-term ecological stability.  

Researchers cautioned that these practices impede forest regeneration and heighten vulnerability to climate-related stress. 

Disease management remains a major challenge, particularly with Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease (CSSVD), which continues to spread widely and can cut yields by up to 202 kilograms per hectare in severely affected areas.  

Farmer-led control attempts, including pruning and chemical use, were found to be largely ineffective. Experts recommended expanding rehabilitation efforts, increasing production of CSSVD-resistant seedlings, and strengthening technical training for improvement in early detection and management. 

Findings from certification studies indicated that schemes such as Fairtrade and Organic have delivered measurable gains in yields, incomes, and employment, though their effect on broader food security and labour conditions remains mixed.  

Researchers recommended strengthening cooperatives, improving extension services, expanding affordable credit, and diversifying buyer linkages to bolster certification benefits. 

Across all study areas, recommendations converged around the need for clearer tree tenure policies, increased access to inputs, promotion of hybrid cocoa varieties, structured incentives for agroforestry uptake, and enhanced livelihood support systems for farmers, including pensions, credit options, and modern equipment. 

Development partners noted that these reforms will be essential as global markets shift toward traceable, climate-resilient, and ethically sourced cocoa. 

U.S. lifts tariffs on Ghanaian exports 

Meanwhile, the United States has lifted its 15% tariff on cocoa and several agricultural products from Ghana. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that the change took effect on November 13, 2025, following an executive order signed by President Trump.  

The tariff removal covers cocoa beans and other major exports including cashew nuts, bananas, mangoes, coconuts, pineapples, ginger, and various peppers. 

With Ghana exporting an estimated 78,000 metric tons of cocoa annually to the U.S. at spot prices of about US$5,300 per metric ton, the Minister estimated that the move could generate approximately US$60 million (GHS 667 million) in additional yearly revenue. 

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