Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has emphasised that intensifying local cocoa processing is vital for Ghana’s industrialisation, job creation, and competitiveness in both African and global markets.
Speaking during a strategic engagement with the leadership of the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), led by Managing Director Professor William Coffie, the Vice President said the country must move beyond exporting raw cocoa to producing high-value products domestically.
“Local processing of cocoa is central to Ghana’s economic sovereignty and industrial advancement,” she stated. “By adding value at home, we not only increase revenue but also position our cocoa products to compete effectively in regional and international markets.”
CPC shared recent milestones, including a 100% increase in its share price over the last three months, signalling growing investor confidence in Ghana’s cocoa potential. Professor Coffie noted that this growth reflects both the global recognition of the company’s efforts and the country’s rich cocoa heritage.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang urged CPC to target domestic markets more aggressively, particularly senior high schools, to boost local consumption, promote youth nutrition, and cultivate appreciation for Ghanaian cocoa products among young consumers.
She also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key avenue for expanding Ghanaian cocoa’s footprint across the continent. “CPC has a unique opportunity to take our products beyond borders, strengthening competitiveness and showcasing the quality of Ghanaian cocoa to African and global consumers,” she said.
Concluding the session, the Vice President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting institutions like CPC, describing them as central to transforming Ghana’s cocoa industry from raw bean exports to high-value, proudly Ghanaian products.
