Ghana launches cocoa monitoring platform to drive sustainable production, transparent policy 

GHANA – The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has launched the Ghana Cocoa Monitor (GCM), a platform aimed at fostering sustainable cocoa production through inclusive dialogue and evidence-based decision-making. 

Introduced under the EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative and Programme, the GCM is designed to coordinate sustainable cocoa efforts across Ghana.  

It brings together government bodies, farmer groups, the private sector, NGOs, and academia to address long-standing challenges in the cocoa sector while unlocking growth opportunities. 

Isaac Manu, Director of Research at COCOBOD, emphasized that the GCM will serve as a centralized platform to consolidate data, promote transparency, and guide policy formulation.  

“The GCM is a key instrument to ensure that every policy and intervention is aligned with the imperative of sustainable cocoa production,” he said.  

He added that cocoa remains a critical pillar of Ghana’s economy, supporting the livelihoods of more than 1.5 million households. 

The platform aims to strengthen public-private partnerships and bridge institutional gaps through structured dialogue.  

FAO has taken an inclusive approach to the initiative by engaging more than 100 stakeholders through surveys and interviews to ensure that sector-wide priorities are reflected. 

EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, praised the initiative, noting the vital role cocoa plays in linking Ghana to global markets. “The cocoa sector is the backbone of Ghana’s economy and a source of identity, but it faces issues like child labour, low incomes, and environmental degradation that require coordinated responses,” he stated. 

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to pay cocoa farmers 70% of the world market price. “We will ensure our commitment to pay our farmers 70% of the world market price of cocoa,” he declared. 

He also announced a revamped cocoa rehabilitation programme targeting regions such as Bia and Juaboso, where production has declined due to ageing trees and disease. 

The new strategy includes distributing improved seedlings, increasing extension services, and compensating farmers whose farms are rehabilitated under COCOBOD’s guidance. 

With the Ghana Cocoa Monitor in place, Ghana aims to position itself as a global leader in sustainable cocoa production, ensuring resilient farming systems and improved livelihoods for producers. 

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