GOVERNMENT WILL PRIORITISE LOCAL PROCESSING OF COCOA TO SAFEGUARD PRICES

Date: 10th February 2025

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Dr. Randy Abbey has reaffirmed the commitment of the government to support local cocoa processing and consumption as a key price-guard strategy.  

Dr. Randy Abbey expressed worry that though the country has an installed domestic processing capacity of 504,780 tonnes, existing processing companies were operating below 50% of their capacity, a development he noted has resulted in low domestic consumption and the failure to secure the much-needed benefit from the multi-billion dollar global chocolate industry. 

He further observed that despite the increase in per capita consumption of cocoa in Ghana from 0.5kg to 1kg, the achievement can not be compared to the rate of consumption in non-cocoa-producing countries in Europe and the Americas.

“Ghana has long been recognized as one of the world's leading producers of cocoa, yet we are yet to reap the full benefits of this beloved crop in terms of domestic consumption,” he said. He  added that by increasing domestic consumption, the country would not only reduce its over-reliance on global markets but also provide our cherished cocoa farmers with a stable and reliable income.

Stressing the need for deliberate policies and programmes on the part of the government to help address the unfortunate situation, Dr. Randy Abbey further observed that improving local capacity in processing and consumption will help stimulate economic growth by creating opportunities for cocoa-based industries such as chocolate production, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical companies.

These remarks were contained in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Director in charge of Research & Monitoring, Mr. Michael  Elow Amoah, at the official launch of the 2025 National Chocolate Week Celebrations.

The acting COCOBOD CE pledged that the government would continue to play an active role by incentivising local domestic cocoa processing, supporting small-scale cocoa processors, and fostering public-private partnerships to improve capacity utilization.

“I am pleased to inform you that His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has directed me to put in place measures that will ensure that Ghana increases its export of processed cocoa products at the expense of raw cocoa beans,” he said.

Dr. Randy Abbey also used the occasion to laud the National Chocolate Week Celebration for not only helping to boost local demand for cocoa products but also leading to the emergence of innovative cocoa-based products on the local market and creating more jobs for hundreds of artisanal chocolate makers.  

The COCOBOD CE said National Chocolate Week Celebrations have the potential to achieve even bigger successes and therefore urged stakeholders in the cocoa and the tourism industry to do more to fully realise the vision and objectives for which the initiative was instituted.

The 2025 National Chocolate Week is slated from February 7 to February 14, 2025, under the theme “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana”.

Amongst activities earmarked for the celebration include Church visits, Exhibition of Cocoa and Chocolate Products, Time with School Children, Visit to the National Chief Imam’s Palace, Cocoa Quiz Competition for National Service Personnel, Chief Executive’s visit to Cocoa Communities as well as Street Float and Chocolate Feast.