President John Dramani Mahama is expected to travel to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for a high-level summit focused on the future of the cocoa economy and the welfare of cocoa farmers in both countries.
The summit will bring together President Mahama and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara as they seek to strengthen cooperation and develop joint strategies aimed at securing a sustainable future for the cocoa industry.
The meeting comes under the framework of the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), a partnership established to coordinate policies and protect the interests of cocoa-producing nations and farmers.
As the world’s two largest cocoa producers, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire play a critical role in the global cocoa market, making the outcome of the summit significant for millions of farmers and stakeholders across the sector.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Minister for Finance and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, expressed optimism about the discussions and the expected outcomes.
According to him, preliminary engagements between the two countries have been productive and have resulted in shared positions aimed at strengthening the cocoa sector and improving the livelihoods of farmers.
“The cocoa industry will be better protected, and the cocoa farmer will be the ultimate beneficiary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He further noted that both countries had agreed on key measures designed to safeguard the interests of cocoa farmers and ensure long-term sustainability within the industry.
“The meeting was very fruitful, and we have arrived at common positions that will protect the cocoa farmer,” he added.
The summit is expected to address key challenges facing the cocoa sector, including pricing, sustainability, farmer welfare, and measures to increase value creation within the industry.
Stakeholders will be closely watching the outcome of the discussions as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire continue efforts to strengthen their influence in the global cocoa market and secure better returns for farmers.
With cocoa remaining a major source of revenue for both countries, the summit is seen as an important step toward shaping the future of the industry and protecting the livelihoods of millions who depend on it.
