The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Ransford Abbey, has reassured stakeholders in the cocoa industry of his commitment to improving the welfare of cocoa farmers.
In an interview shared by Channel 1, Dr Abbey reaffirmed his dedication to President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for the cocoa sector, highlighting the importance of prioritising farmers in the creation and implementation of policies.
“We will bring hard work and strong leadership to realise the President’s vision for the cocoa industry. I met with cocoa farmers this morning, and the President’s vision is clear: put the cocoa farmer at the centre of everything. We will engage more, understand the issues, and work to address them,” he stated.
Moreover, Dr Abbey mentioned that he has already started engaging directly with cocoa farmers, signalling his hands-on leadership style and his intent to foster strong partnerships with stakeholders.
Given that Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, the country’s economy heavily relies on cocoa exports. However, cocoa farmers continue to face significant challenges such as low prices, limited access to resources, and the effects of climate change on production.
