Cocoa is a key export commodity for Ghana
Smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana have launched an umbrella body to amplify their voices in decision-making processes within the sector and ensure fair representation of their interests as key stakeholders in cocoa production.
Known as the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Association Limited (GCCFA), the association—the first of its kind—comprises 75 cooperative unions from nine cocoa-growing regions across the country.
Before the formation of the association, cocoa farmers’ cooperative unions, each consisting of multiple cooperatives within a region, operated independently and in isolation.
Engagement at different decision-making levels within the cocoa value chain was limited to only a few unions, primarily due to their fragmented and uncoordinated nature. Consequently, feedback often reflected the views of individual unions rather than capturing the collective interests of Ghana’s cocoa farming community.
Recognizing the need for unified representation, several organizations attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to partner with cooperatives over the years to establish a national association.
However, after a series of extensive training sessions on leadership and governance for stakeholders at various levels, the association was successfully established in November 2024 with support from Solidaridad under its RECLAIM Sustainability Programme.
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RECLAIM Sustainability Programme seeks to amplify the voices of farmers and workers in shaping public and private policies that promote decent working conditions, equitable access to natural resources, and fair value distribution across supply chains.
The official launch of the association in Kumasi brought together key stakeholders, including cocoa farmers’ cooperative unions, civil society organizations, policymakers, industry experts, traditional leaders, and representatives of other relevant institutions.
In his welcome address, Issifu Issaka, President of the Association, emphasized the critical role cocoa farmers play in production, despite having little say in decision-making.
He highlighted the negative impact of climate change on their work and urged the government to provide irrigation facilities to enhance cocoa production.
Expressing concern over the devastating effects of illegal mining on cocoa farming, he noted that farmers were struggling to find quality water to spray their produce.
Issaka also appealed to the government to increase the producer price for cocoa to improve farmers’ incomes.
Dr. Francis Baah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board in charge of Quality Control, applauded the association’s leadership for uniting under one umbrella, adding that it would facilitate better engagement with cocoa farmers.
He assured stakeholders that plans were underway to extend irrigation facilities to farms as part of long-term measures to address low productivity.
Mr. Eric Agyare, Country Representative for Solidaridad West Africa, reaffirmed Solidaridad’s commitment to working closely with farmers and other actors to promote the sustainable production of commodities, including cocoa.
“We introduce best practices to support farmers’ businesses, and beyond that, we create arrangements where farmers can access inputs and services to improve productivity,” he stated.
Agyare explained that Solidaridad supported the establishment of the association to improve governance and ensure cocoa farmers have a strong voice in decision-making processes within the cocoa sector.
“The goal is to build their capacity to effectively engage relevant stakeholders in the cocoa value chain as key actors,” he added.
