The Honorable Minister for Finance, distinguished guests, fellow board members, cherished cocoa farmers, ladies and gentlemen,
It is with deep humility and profound gratitude that I stand before you today to express, on behalf of the newly constituted Board of Directors of COCOBOD, our sincere appreciation to His Excellency the President for the confidence reposed in us to lead one of the most crucial sectors of our national economy.
The cocoa sector has, for generations, served as the backbone of Ghana’s development supporting education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the livelihoods of millions. To be entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing such a vital institution is not only an honour but a sacred duty we accept with pride and purpose.
The return of H.E. John Dramani Mahama to the highest office of the land has brought renewed hope to cocoa farmers and all stakeholders. The sharp decline in Ghana’s cocoa production since the President’s exit in 2017 has been deeply troubling.
The sector suffered neglect and a lack of strategic prioritization. Illegal mining, or galamsey, ravaged cocoa-growing communities, destroyed arable land and contaminating water bodies. Smuggling and weak support systems further demoralized farmers and pushed many out of the trade.
Today, I stand before you to pledge, on behalf of the Board, our total commitment to rehabilitating the cocoa sector to restoring its dignity, profitability, and global competitiveness. Under the renewed leadership of President Mahama, this sector is poised for concrete.
As part of our cocoa rehabilitation agenda, we believe this is the time to reset, retool, and reimagine. And on that note, permit me to share this with you. Not long ago, I visited a cocoa district where an elderly farmer jokingly told me, “Chairman, cocoa used to be called ‘the golden pond.’ Now it’s turning into ‘the forgotten pod.’
Even my grandchildren think it’s a chocolate tree from abroad!”. That farmer’s humor captured a serious truth when young people can’t relate to cocoa beyond the wrapper of a chocolate bar, we must act decisively.
And so today, as Chairman of the Board, I call on members of the political class especially those from cocoa-growing districts to lead by example and take an active interest in cocoa farming. Let us not only legislate and advocate for farmers but be farmers ourselves. Our collective participation will serve as a powerful symbol of leadership and commitment and will significantly springboard the government’s visionary Youth in Cocoa Farming initiative.
When young people see their leaders with boots on cocoa farms, they will no longer see cocoa as outdated or unattractive. They will see it as a viable and respectable path to personal prosperity and national pride.
To support this vision, we will ensure that young farmers have access to modern equipment, technology, and training that reduce the burden of labour and enhance productivity. This sector cannot remain in the hands of the aged alone; it must belong to the future.
We will again see to the full implementation of the Cocoa Farmers’ Pension Scheme, a groundbreaking initiative and visionary policy by H.E. John Dramani Mahama. Central to this is the welfare of the farmer ensuring that those who have labored for decades to sustain our economy are not forgotten in their old age.
This historic scheme is a major step toward restoring dignity and security to our cocoa farmers, many of whom have retired into poverty after years of dedicated service.
Alongside other progressive welfare initiatives under the President’s leadership, it will not only safeguard the future of our farmers but also serve as a strong incentive for young people to see cocoa farming as a viable and fulfilling profession.
As a Board, we will be developing and rolling out strategic initiatives to revamp cocoa production.
These include strengthening extension services, supporting farmer cooperatives, enhancing local cocoa processing for added value, and cracking down firmly on illegal mining in cocoa zones. We will also revive and strengthen cocoa colleges to train young farmers in modern practices and business management, ensuring that cocoa becomes a 21st-century enterprise, not just a legacy.
Once again, Mr. President, on behalf of the Board of COCOBOD, I extend our deepest gratitude for the trust you have placed in us. We pledge to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability as we work to restore Ghana’s cocoa sector to its rightful place as a cornerstone of economic transformation.
May God bless our cocoa farmers, may God bless COCOBOD, and may God bless our beloved country, Ghana.
Thank you.
