Ghana’s cocoa industry is indeed facing a crisis, with poor production and a shortage of cocoa beans being major concerns. The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon Eric Opoku, has attributed these issues to poor farming practices, the destructive effects of galamsey (illegal mining), and other factors.
The situation is dire, with the Cocoa Processing Company on the verge of collapse. This could have severe consequences for Ghana’s economy, as the cocoa industry is a significant contributor. In fact, Ghana’s cocoa export revenue took a hit of nearly $700 million in the first half of 2024
To make matters worse, Ghana had to import cocoa beans worth 185.2 million cedis from Côte d’Ivoire in 2023, highlighting the critical state of the nation’s cocoa production. The primary driver of this crisis is illegal mining, which has devastated large covers of cocoa farmland.
To address this crisis, the government needs to take decisive action. This includes supporting farmers with better pricing, providing resources to combat illegal mining, and investing in research and development to promote disease-resistant cocoa varieties.
The livelihoods of approximately 1.6 million people depend on the cocoa industry, making it imperative for the government to act quickly to boost cocoa production and prevent the collapse of the Cocoa Processing Company.
Story by: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku/Ahotoronline.com
