Source: Mavis Fantevi
Ghana is set to host the 2027 World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in Accra in March 2027, in what government officials have described as a significant milestone for both the country and Africa’s role in the global cocoa industry.
The announcement was made at an official ceremony addressed by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, who highlighted the importance of resilience, sustainability and transformation within the cocoa sector.
According to the Deputy Minister, the global cocoa industry supports the livelihoods of more than 50 million people and underpins a chocolate market valued at over US$100 billion annually.
He noted that cocoa has played a major role in Ghana’s economic transformation by supporting livelihoods and financing national development over the years.
Despite the sector’s contribution to the global economy, Mr. Ampem said many cocoa farmers continue to face low incomes, describing the situation as a major concern for the future of the industry.
“The future of chocolate cannot be secure if the future of cocoa farmers remains uncertain,” he stated.
Mr. Ampem also pointed to growing challenges confronting the cocoa sector globally, including climate change, crop diseases, environmental degradation, price volatility, and increasing demands for sustainability and traceability.
He said these pressures continue to expose structural weaknesses within global cocoa economies and require stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
The 2027 World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting is expected to bring together key players from across the global cocoa and chocolate value chain to discuss critical issues such as climate resilience, farmer livelihoods, supply security, crop diseases, innovation and long-term sustainability.
The Deputy Minister expressed confidence in the event’s theme, “From Origin to Global Resilience,” describing it as timely and aligned with Ghana’s ongoing “Cocoa Reset” agenda.
He explained that the agenda represents one of the most ambitious reform programmes in Ghana’s cocoa sector in recent decades, with government implementing measures aimed at restoring financial discipline, strengthening governance, improving farmer support systems, increasing productivity and expanding local cocoa processing.
According to him, the reforms are intended to help Ghana retain more value from its cocoa industry while remaining competitive on the international market.
Mr. Ampem further noted that the 2027 meeting will coincide with the 80th anniversary of Ghana Cocoa Board as well as Ghana’s 70th anniversary celebrations, creating what he described as an important opportunity for national and global reflection on cocoa as a strategic national asset.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to serving as a platform for global dialogue and collective action in addressing challenges within the cocoa industry.