Ghana’s cocoa farmers push for major industry reforms

Cocoa farmers across Ghana are calling for significant reforms in the country’s cocoa sector, expressing concerns over transparency, fair pricing, and their strained relationship with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

At a recent press conference, representatives from Civic Response Ghana, Corporate Accountability Lab, and the University of Ghana School of Law presented the farmers’ grievances, referencing a research report and a petition submitted to COCOBOD. This petition urges COCOBOD to adopt higher social and environmental standards within the industry.

The farmers outlined four primary demands. First, they request that the authority to appoint COCOBOD’s CEO, currently by presidential appointment, be shifted to a qualified individual within the cocoa sector who has progressed through the ranks. Secondly, the farmers seek better mechanisms for partnership with COCOBOD, aiming to move from an employer-employee relationship to a more collaborative one.

Third, they demand the right to elect their own representatives in decision-making processes instead of relying on appointed figures. Finally, the farmers call for more transparency in the cocoa pricing mechanism, particularly the differences between forest gate sales and spot sales.

Raymond N. Ennin, Programmes Officer for Civic Response, highlighted the farmers’ frustration over the lack of clarity in farm gate pricing, emphasizing their call for a fairer and more inclusive pricing model that better reflects their contributions and needs.

Nana Yaw Reuben, Media Lead for the Ghana Cocoa Coalition and Founder of Voice of the African Farmer, described the challenges cocoa farmers face, including exposure to hazardous chemicals, child labor, deforestation, and ineffective industry management. He noted that despite cocoa’s critical role in Ghana’s economy, farmers lack essential support to thrive and emphasized COCOBOD’s responsibility to address these issues and ensure fair compensation for farmers.

Nana Yaw Reuben, Media Lead for GCCP and Founder of Voice of the African Farmer

Reuben also stressed the importance of testing COCOBOD’s grievance mechanism to confirm it provides tangible support for farmers. He advocated for policy reviews, technology integration, and a transparent pricing system to better serve farmers’ needs.

Established in 2018, COCOBOD’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) includes a grievance and redress mechanism, introduced as a condition for securing a $600 million syndicated loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The ESMS aims to address environmental, social, health, and safety risks across the cocoa industry, extending to COCOBOD’s operations, subsidiaries, productivity programs, contractors, and associated partners.

However, the ESMS and its grievance mechanism have faced criticism for failing to address persistent issues in Ghana’s cocoa sector. Over the past decade, the industry has grappled with deforestation, a slow shift to agroforestry, the use of illegal and excessive pesticides, and continued hazardous child labor. These ongoing challenges have significantly impacted the well-being of cocoa farmers and their families, underscoring the need for COCOBOD to improve its monitoring and issue resolution practices.

This call from Ghana’s cocoa farmers highlights the urgent need for industry reform to protect their rights, safety, and livelihoods, fostering a fairer, more sustainable cocoa sector aligned with the country’s economic growth goals.