The Ghana Chapter of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA) was officially launched at the Accra International Press Centre with a call for stronger collaboration, sustainable practices, and farmer empowerment across the cocoa value chain in Africa.
Speaking at the launch, Country Director for the Ghana Chapter, Nana Yaw Reuben Jr., recounted how COFAAA began as a small platform of friends across Africa determined to transform the cocoa sector through unity. “Today, we have Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire as active chapters, with Liberia soon to join,” he said, urging stakeholders to applaud Ghana for taking bold steps in hosting the launch.
COFAAA’s vision is to build a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive cocoa farming sector that enhances farmer livelihoods and promotes environmental stewardship. “This is not just a conversation; we are building markets for farmers, connecting them across borders, and creating sustainable opportunities,” Reuben Jr. emphasized.
Among the upcoming initiatives announced was the first-ever African Cocoa Festival to be held in Ghana in the first week of October, with support from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). Registration of members and nomination of officers across member countries is already underway.
Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, praised the launch, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change, pollution from illegal mining, and price parity challenges facing cocoa farmers. He assured COFAAA of Parliament’s support in reversing the decline in cocoa production and protecting Ghana’s forests.
Executive Secretary of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative, H.E. Alex Assamvo, underscored the long-standing cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, stressing that improving cocoa prices is crucial to eliminating child labour and ensuring ethical practices. He pledged to work closely with COFAAA chapters to give cocoa farmers a better deal.
With Ghana taking the lead in this regional effort, COFAAA aims to unify cocoa producers across Africa, promote transparent pricing, facilitate cooperative marketing, and implement climate-smart, eco-friendly farming systems that preserve the environment and empower smallholder farmers.
