The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and global chocolate giant Barry Callebaut have renewed their joint commitment to advancing a sustainable cocoa industry in Ghana, following a high-level meeting in Accra between COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Ransford Abbey and Barry Callebaut CEO Mr. Peter Feld.
The discussions centred on enhancing transparency, building stronger stakeholder collaboration, and promoting fair crop financing as part of Ghana’s broader strategy to strengthen the cocoa sector.
Dr. Abbey emphasised that protecting Ghana’s cocoa landscape from illegal mining and environmental degradation remains a top priority. “Our long-term success depends on protecting national interests and supporting farmers,” he noted.
He reaffirmed COCOBOD’s dedication to policies that empower farmers while preserving cocoa-producing ecosystems.
The Chief Executive also pointed to ongoing efforts to introduce environmentally responsible farming practices and strengthen traceability systems that ensure compliance with international standards.
These interventions, he said, are crucial to building a sustainable cocoa industry that benefits all stakeholders.
In response, Mr. Feld praised COCOBOD’s leadership and highlighted Barry Callebaut’s continued investment in smallholder cocoa farmers across Ghana.
He reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainability programmes, and inclusive growth.
“Collaboration across the cocoa sector is key to making real progress, we are proud to work alongside COCOBOD in promoting farmer livelihoods and ensuring a climate-resilient cocoa supply chain,” Mr. Feld said.
Both parties agreed that transforming the cocoa sector requires shared responsibility and long-term investment. They called for closer alignment between government policy, private sector innovation, and farmer-level support to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s cocoa economy.
Their shared vision aims to create a cocoa value chain that generates economic opportunity while protecting the environment and addressing global sustainability expectations.
Specific priorities include increasing yields through climate-smart agriculture, improving access to extension services, and promoting reforestation in cocoa-growing areas.
The meeting marks another step in global efforts to promote ethical and sustainable cocoa sourcing, especially at a time when international buyers and regulators are demanding higher standards of accountability and environmental stewardship.
As part of their continued collaboration, COCOBOD and Barry Callebaut are poised to jointly develop new programmes that support traceability, enhance farmer incomes, and ensure Ghana remains a global leader in the sustainable cocoa industry.
