Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has opened the 7th Steering Committee Meeting of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative in Abidjan, calling for deeper collaboration between the world’s two largest cocoa producers. The goal: transform the sector into one that is more resilient, prosperous, and profitable for farmers. Senior government officials, industry stakeholders, and representatives from both countries, including Ghana Cocoa Board Chief Executive Dr. Randy Abbey, gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening cooperation, improving farmer incomes, and addressing emerging challenges in the cocoa industry.
Chairing the meeting, Dr. Forson underscored the critical importance of sustained dialogue and stronger cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. “While we may not be able to resolve all our challenges here today, our collective determination to make a genuine and lasting positive impact on our farmers, our countries, and future generations should remain the driving force that guides our work,” he stated. The partnership remains essential to safeguarding the future of the cocoa sector.
Dr. Forson emphasized that as the two leading cocoa-producing nations globally, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire must shape the industry’s future rather than merely react to global market disruptions. “As the world’s two leading cocoa-producing countries, we must engage more consistently and strategically to protect our economies. By doing so, we can better anticipate challenges, mitigate shocks, and shape the future of the industry rather than merely reacting to its disruptions,” he said. “The relevance and necessity of this collaboration are undeniable, and we must ensure that it succeeds.”
The Finance Minister called for practical, actionable solutions that would strengthen the partnership and deliver tangible benefits to cocoa farmers. “The cocoa sector deserves to be transformed into one that is more resilient, prosperous, and profitable for the benefit of both our countries and our farmers,” he emphasized.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production, Bruno Nabagné Koné, stressed that collective action is critical to tackling challenges facing the cocoa sector. “We have gathered because we are combining our efforts. I do count on your spirit of responsibility,” he said. He called for guaranteed decent incomes for cocoa farmers through closer coordination and harmonization of cocoa pricing policies between the two countries.
“Ensuring decent income and justice through harmonization of prices is critical. Cocoa must first guarantee a worthy lifestyle for farmers,” Minister Koné stated. The Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative was established jointly by both governments to coordinate cocoa policies, strengthen their position in the global market, and improve livelihoods for millions of cocoa farmers whose incomes depend on the sector.
The 7th Steering Committee Meeting is expected to produce concrete recommendations aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries and advancing efforts to build a more sustainable, resilient, and profitable cocoa industry.
