Former President John Dramani Mahama has set his sights on restoring Ghana’s struggling cocoa sector, unveiling a major expansion initiative that aims to bring 200,000 additional hectares under cocoa cultivation.
Speaking in the Ahafo Region during his ongoing national Thank You tour on Saturday, May 31, Mahama framed the move as both a strategic economic intervention and a rallying call to farmers.
“The cocoa sector, which once brought prosperity to many, has collapsed—but we are bringing it back. We are providing incentives, and we encourage all farmers to prepare to take advantage,” Mahama declared, urging even those without farms to begin acquiring land and planting cocoa.
The revival effort, he said, would not only increase production but directly raise incomes for farmers and stimulate rural economies. The former president also revealed that the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Randy Abbey, had promised a new cocoa producer price announcement in August—one he said would be attractive to growers.
“Expect a very good price,” Mahama added, hinting at improved profitability for cocoa producers.
Ghana’s cocoa industry, long a pillar of the national economy, has faced mounting challenges in recent years, including illegal smuggling, poor pricing, and declining productivity. Mahama’s pledge signals a renewed focus on leveraging cocoa for economic growth, foreign exchange stability, and job creation.
Analysts see the proposed land expansion as a major policy shift that could energize the agricultural sector and reposition Ghana as a global cocoa powerhouse if backed by solid implementation and farmer support systems.
