Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, says the country is determined to move beyond the export of raw cocoa beans to building a vibrant cocoa economy that empowers farmers, creates jobs and adds more value to its produce.
Speaking at the EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative in Brussels on the final day of the Global Gateway Forum, the Vice President called on the European Union and its partners to invest strategically in Ghana’s cocoa sector to help transform the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
“Ghana is clear about moving beyond the export of raw cocoa beans to developing a cocoa economy that truly benefits our people,” she said. “We want partnerships that promote value addition, ensure fair returns for farmers and create decent jobs along the value chain.”
Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that sustainable investment in the cocoa industry would not only secure the future of millions of Ghanaian farmers but also align with global sustainability goals.
She called on the EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative to be a genuine partner in supporting Ghana’s vision of processing and marketing its cocoa products locally, thereby boosting incomes and resilience among farmers.
The EU Sustainable Cocoa Initiative seeks to promote responsible cocoa production and trade, improve traceability and strengthen the livelihoods of cocoa farmers across producing countries, including Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
The session formed part of the Global Gateway Forum, which brings together leaders from the EU and partner countries to discuss sustainable investment and development opportunities.
Story: Nancy Obimpeh
