Dr Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, Managing Director of Cocoa Marketing Company, has warned that weakening farmer confidence could undermine Ghana’s position in the global cocoa market if urgent measures are not taken.
In a policy brief, he described farmer confidence as a decisive economic factor that directly impacts production levels, quality standards, and the country’s long-term cocoa supply outlook. He cautioned that ongoing challenges—such as payment delays by Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), poor communication on pricing, and inefficiencies within the system—are gradually eroding trust among cocoa farmers.
According to Dr Dogbey, the consequences of declining confidence are already evident, including reduced production, increased smuggling of cocoa beans to neighbouring countries, and weakening quality control. These risks, he noted, threaten Ghana’s long-standing reputation as a premium cocoa producer in international markets.
He further explained that while farmgate pricing remains important, it is not sufficient on its own to sustain the sector. Issues such as transparency, access to credit and farm inputs, extension services, and infrastructure development play a crucial role in shaping farmers’ perceptions and commitment.
Dr Dogbey stressed that efforts by Ghana Cocoa Board to improve engagement with farmers must go beyond periodic announcements, calling for continuous, two-way communication that treats farmers as central stakeholders rather than passive participants.
He also highlighted growing global scrutiny around ethical sourcing and sustainability, warning that declining farmer confidence could damage Ghana’s image under environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. “An origin where farmer confidence is collapsing presents not only physical supply risk but narrative risk,” he noted.
Dr Dogbey urged policymakers and industry leaders to prioritise reforms that strengthen trust, improve communication, and enhance farmer welfare, stressing that the resilience of Ghana’s cocoa sector ultimately depends on the confidence of those at its foundation.
