The Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs has taken decisive steps to tackle critical challenges confronting Ghana’s cocoa industry, following an in-depth working visit to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Chairing the delegation, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, MP for Wa East and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led the Committee through a thorough evaluation of key issues with COCOBOD’s management, under the leadership of Acting CEO Dr. Randy Abbey.
Central to the discussions were the escalating debt burden within the cocoa sector, which continues to stall industry growth, alongside declining cocoa production levels that threaten Ghana’s standing as a top global producer. Both parties delved into potential strategies to reverse this downward trend and restore sector vitality.
The meeting also highlighted the urgent need to address systemic poor management practices, recognizing that institutional reforms are essential for the cocoa subsector’s revitalization and economic transformation. Additionally, the Committee explored new legal frameworks designed to modernize governance and enhance accountability in cocoa operations.
This familiarization visit, part of the Committee’s oversight mandate, has already generated practical policy recommendations and management improvements aimed at boosting yields and farmers’ incomes. A key focus is on creating meaningful job opportunities that will attract younger generations into the cocoa industry, a demographic vital for its future sustainability.
Dr. Jasaw expressed the Committee’s commitment to making agriculture, particularly cocoa farming, more appealing and rewarding for Ghana’s youth. He commended COCOBOD’s ongoing sustainability efforts, especially the Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program, which combats deforestation and promotes environmental restoration.
He stated, “Our visit underscores the Committee’s resolve to collaboratively address the pressing challenges faced by the cocoa sector, ensuring its long-term growth and prosperity for all stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Randy Abbey reaffirmed COCOBOD’s farmer-centric approach, emphasizing that effective policy must be rooted in the realities of cocoa growers. “We are focused on strong leadership and hard work to realize the President’s vision for the cocoa industry,” he affirmed.
Dr. Abbey also pledged ongoing engagement with the Committee and direct dialogue with farmers, aiming to build robust partnerships that will drive sustainable progress in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
