COCOBOD will focus on welfare of farmers, encourage large scale farming – Dr. Abbey
The Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey has stressed a renewed focus on prioritizing cocoa farmers in the organization’s financial strategies. In his inaugural engagement with stakeholders, Dr. Abbey underscored the necessity of redirecting COCOBOD’s finances to better compensate farmers, highlighting their central role in the cocoa value chain.
“We need to listen to them; they are the practitioners. They [farmers] have been involved in this for decades, and in every decision that we take, we need to have their input. They ought to be central in our decision-making,” Dr. Abbey stated. He further emphasized the importance of prioritizing farmers’ welfare to encourage the production of quality cocoa for the nation. “We also need to prioritize their welfare, so that is what I mean by putting the cocoa farmers at the center of what we do here,” he added.
Dr. Abbey also addressed the continuation of long-term initiatives aimed at boosting production, such as the rehabilitation of cocoa farms. He pointed out the need to intensify these efforts and to explore large-scale farming to sustain cocoa production. “We need to work together with the farmers to see how we can increase that. There is also the issue of prioritizing large-scale farming, if you look at Côte d’Ivoire and some of the neighboring countries,” he noted.
The spokesperson of the Ghana Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers Association (COCOSHE), Imoro Issifu Alhassan, outlined several challenges currently facing cocoa farmers, including declining production, low incomes, and persistent threats from pests and diseases. He also highlighted the significant impact of illegal mining activities, known locally as “galamsey,” on cocoa production. “These issues and others remain critical priorities for us, and we look forward to working closely with your office to tackle them effectively,” Alhassan stated.
Recent reports indicate that Ghana has delayed the delivery of 370,000 metric tons of cocoa from the 2023/24 season to the current season due to poor output, marking an increase from the previously reported 350,000 tons. This unprecedented delay follows a significant decline in cocoa production, which has reached a two-decade low, as stated by food and agribusiness minister-designate Eric Opoku. The decline in production, attributed to climate change, tree disease, and illegal gold mining, has been ongoing since a peak output of over 1 million tons in 2021. The reduced production, which fell below 550,000 tons, led COCOBOD to default on an $800 million loan used to finance cocoa purchases.
Despite these challenges, there is optimism for a recovery in the 2024/25 season. Favorable weather conditions, improved rainfall, and the timely use of fertilizers and pesticides have led officials from COCOBOD and local farmers to project an increase in production to 650,000 tons, though the International Cocoa Organization estimates around 500,000 tons. However, concerns about black pod disease and smuggling persist, which significantly affected the previous season’s output. To combat these issues, COCOBOD has raised the farmgate price by nearly 45% and introduced a new funding model requiring upfront payments from global traders. This model has been met with mixed reactions, with some fearing it may limit funds and inadvertently promote smuggling. Mr. Abbey’s appointment is anticipated to bring renewed energy and strategic direction to COCOBOD, a vital organization in Ghana’s cocoa industry. His diverse background in media and sports administration is expected to bring a unique perspective to his new role, potentially steering the board towards new heights in the management and development of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
