The Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) has initiated direct engagements with cocoa processors as Ghana prepares to implement the new policy that requires at least 50 percent of the country’s cocoa output to be processed locally before export.
As part of that effort, CMC Managing Director Dr. Wisdom Kofi Dogbey visited West Africa Mills Company (WAMCO) to assess the company’s operational preparedness and capacity to support the expected expansion in domestic cocoa processing.
The visit follows the government’s policy direction toward increased local value addition, a move expected to deepen industrial activity within the cocoa value chain and reduce the country’s longstanding dependence on raw bean exports.
CMC stated that the engagement aimed to assess how processing firms are positioning themselves in anticipation of the reforms, while also aligning the transition with the company’s own strategic program, Project Elevate, which focuses on converting raw cocoa into semi-finished products for export.
The initiative is to strengthen downstream activity in Ghana’s cocoa sector, as authorities seek to expand value retention through processing and manufacturing.
During the engagement, WAMCO’s management indicated its readiness to support the policy transition, citing ongoing work to upgrade certifications, improve production systems, and enhance operating efficiency to meet anticipated demand for semi-finished cocoa products.
The company said its internal adjustments are aimed at building the technical and compliance capacity required to operate effectively under the new processing framework, particularly as international buyers increasingly demand traceability, quality assurance, and higher-value cocoa derivatives.
The government’s local processing target could have significant implications for investment, employment, and foreign exchange generation if implementation is supported by reliable industrial infrastructure, financing access, and export market development.
CMC’s engagement with WAMCO also highlights its coordinating role in shaping the next phase of Ghana’s cocoa trade strategy, particularly as the country seeks to strengthen its position in value-added agricultural trade.
The company said strengthening collaboration with processors will be essential to achieving the policy objective and ensuring the cocoa sector contributes more meaningfully to industrial growth and export competitiveness.
The WAMCO visit is expected to be one of several engagements as CMC works with industry players to support a smoother transition toward expanded local processing and greater value retention within Ghana’s cocoa economy.
