Ghana and Ivory Coast strengthen cocoa alliance to protect farmers and increase African production

Written by: Mohamed Ragab

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and his Ivorian counterpart Alassane Ouattara held a high-level bilateral summit in Abidjan, dedicated to discussing the future of the cocoa economy and strengthening cooperation between the world's two largest cocoa-producing countries.

The summit resulted in the signing of a joint declaration affirming the two countries' commitment to protecting the interests of farmers and achieving stability in the global cocoa market.

This move comes at a time when the cocoa industry is facing increasing challenges related to volatile global prices, climate change and declining production in some regions, as well as the need to improve the returns received by farmers.

Farmers are a top priority

The two presidents stressed that farmers must remain at the heart of cocoa sector management policies, noting that Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire produce about 60% of total global cocoa production, which gives them a special responsibility to lead efforts to reform the sector and ensure economic justice for those working in it.

Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening the “living income differential” mechanism, which aims to improve farmers’ income, as well as coordinating crop purchase prices and marketing strategies between the two countries, in order to provide greater protection for producers from price fluctuations in international markets.

Combating illegal mining and climate change

The summit discussed the environmental challenges threatening agriculture in both countries, most notably illegal mining activities that affect rivers, water bodies and agricultural lands.

The two presidents agreed to develop a joint strategy to reduce these activities, launch operations to clean up damaged water sources, and take measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is becoming an increasing threat to cocoa production and other agricultural crops.

Scientific cooperation to combat agricultural diseases

Ghana and Ivory Coast also pledged to strengthen cooperation between national research centers to combat cocoa bud swelling virus, which is one of the most serious diseases threatening cocoa farms in West Africa.

Experts believe that expanding scientific research and exchanging experiences between the two countries can contribute to developing varieties that are more resistant to diseases and harsh climatic conditions, thus ensuring the sustainability of production in the long term.

From exporting raw materials to local manufacturing

One of the summit's key outcomes was an agreement to boost domestic cocoa processing instead of simply exporting raw cocoa beans. The two countries aim to increase their manufacturing capacity and local production of chocolate and related products, thereby creating new jobs and boosting economic returns.

Both sides also stressed the importance of boosting intra-African trade in manufactured goods, which supports economic integration efforts within the continent.

Expanding the African Cocoa Alliance

The two presidents agreed to open the door for other African cocoa-producing countries to join the existing alliance between the two countries, with the aim of strengthening the continent’s bargaining power in global markets and increasing its share of the global value chain of the cocoa and chocolate industry.