Government to cut raw cocoa export to boost local cocoa processing – Naana Opoku Agyeman Jane

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced a bold shift in Ghana’s cocoa policy, signalling the government’s intent to significantly reduce the export of raw cocoa beans in favour of boosting local processing.

Speaking at the European Union Sustainable Cocoa Initiative during the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, she emphasised that Ghana must move beyond being a raw commodity exporter to building a full-fledged cocoa economy.

This transformation, she noted, is essential for creating jobs, empowering farmers, and increasing the country’s share of value in the global cocoa market.

To support this transition, the government has introduced incentives aimed at expanding domestic cocoa processing capacity.

According to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s processing capacity has already reached approximately 500,000 tonnes, a significant milestone that reflects the country’s commitment to value addition.

She also called for global partnerships and blended financing models to support rural cocoa processors, stressing that sustainability and fairness must be central to the cocoa trade.

These efforts are designed not only to enhance industrial growth but also to ensure that cocoa farmers and their communities directly benefit from the wealth generated by the sector.

The Vice President’s remarks underscore a broader vision of economic transformation rooted in industrialisation and inclusive growth.

By reducing reliance on raw cocoa exports, Ghana aims to strengthen its bargaining power in international trade and foster a more resilient agricultural economy.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s call to action reflects a strategic pivot toward long-term investment, innovation, and equitable development across the cocoa value chain—a move that could redefine Ghana’s role in the global chocolate industry.