Smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana have launched an umbrella body, the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Association Limited (GCCFA), aiming to strengthen their voice in decision-making processes in the cocoa sector and ensure fair representation as key stakeholders in cocoa production.
The GCCFA, the first of its kind, brings together 75 cooperative unions from nine cocoa-growing regions across the country. Previously, these unions operated independently, often with limited engagement in sector-wide decisions. Feedback from unions typically reflected the views of individual groups, rather than the collective interests of Ghana’s cocoa farmers.
Recognizing the need for unified representation, the establishment of a national association has been a long-standing objective, but earlier attempts to achieve this had failed. However, after extensive training on leadership and governance with various stakeholders, the GCCFA was formally established in November 2024, with support from Solidaridad under its RECLAIM Sustainability Programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme seeks to amplify the voices of farmers and workers in shaping policies that promote fair working conditions, equitable access to natural resources, and sustainable value distribution across supply chains.
The official launch in Kumasi brought together cocoa farmers’ cooperative unions, civil society organizations, policymakers, industry experts, traditional leaders, and other relevant institutions.
In his welcome address, Mr. Issifu Issaka, President of the GCCFA, emphasized the critical role cocoa farmers play in production but lamented their minimal involvement in decision-making processes. He expressed concerns over the negative impact of climate change on cocoa farming and called on the government to provide irrigation facilities to improve cocoa production. Additionally, he raised alarm over the devastating effects of illegal mining (galamsey) on cocoa farming, noting that farmers are struggling to access clean water for spraying their crops.
Mr. Issaka also appealed for an increase in the producer price of cocoa to enhance the incomes of farmers.
Dr. Francis Baah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in charge of Quality Control, commended the formation of the GCCFA, noting that the unified association will simplify engagements between cocoa farmers and stakeholders. He assured that plans are underway to extend irrigation facilities to cocoa farms as part of long-term solutions to address productivity challenges.
Mr. Eric Agyare, Country Representative for Solidaridad West Africa, highlighted the organization’s work in supporting sustainable commodity production, including cocoa. “We bring best practices to farmers and help them access inputs and services to improve productivity,” he stated. He added that Solidaridad supported the establishment of the GCCFA to improve governance and enable cocoa farmers to participate more effectively in decision-making processes.
The GCCFA’s formation is expected to enhance the capacity of cocoa cooperatives, enabling them to engage meaningfully with key stakeholders and influence decisions within the cocoa value chain.
