The Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited is advocating increased public education and clearer communication as key tools to support effective reforms in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
In a policy brief authored by its Managing Director, Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, and shared with the Ghana News Agency, the Company stressed that misconceptions about how Ghana’s cocoa marketing system operates continue to undermine informed policy discussions.
Rather than focusing solely on structural reforms, the brief highlights the need to address widespread misunderstandings about the roles within the cocoa value chain. It explains that the system is a coordinated framework involving farmers, Licensed Buying Companies, quality control institutions, and the Cocoa Marketing Company, which serves as the sole link to international markets.
According to the document, confusion often arises when key functions—such as purchasing, pricing, and marketing—are wrongly interpreted or merged in public discourse, leading to flawed assumptions about the sector.
The Company emphasized that its role goes beyond simple trading, pointing to its forward sales programme, which aligns with global benchmarks like ICE London. This system, it noted, helps stabilize prices, manage risks, and ensure consistent supply to international buyers.
Dr. Dogbey maintained that Ghana’s cocoa marketing model, though complex, has delivered long-term value by securing foreign exchange earnings, maintaining high-quality standards, and sustaining global buyer confidence.
The brief also noted that the structured system provides reliability for international partners, especially amid tightening global regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
However, the Company cautioned that reforms driven by incomplete or inaccurate narratives could weaken these gains. It warned that policy decisions based on misconceptions risk disrupting a system that has consistently supported Ghana’s economy.
As part of its recommendations, the Company called for stronger engagement with the media, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to promote fact-based discussions and improve transparency.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Company pledged to continue demystifying cocoa marketing operations, stressing that trust in the sector depends not only on performance but also on clear and open communication.
