President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to increase domestic cocoa processing to 50% in a bid to boost export value and retain more revenue from the country’s top agricultural export.
President Mahama noted that Ghana has made significant progress, increasing its cocoa processing rate from around 25% to 40% over the past few years.
“Côte d’Ivoire has already achieved 50% domestic cocoa processing, and we hope that within the next four to five years, Ghana can match that milestone and possibly exceed it,” he said.
Local Processing Key to Cocoa Value Chain Transformation
President Mahama emphasized that increasing local processing capacity is essential to enhancing value addition within the cocoa value chain, reducing Ghana’s reliance on raw bean exports, and improving earnings for farmers and exporters alike.
He called for strategic investments in cocoa processing infrastructure, local entrepreneurship, and export market access, stressing that value addition is crucial to economic transformation.
Mahama Urges Africa to Mobilize Domestic Revenue and Trade Within
Addressing the broader economic context, President Mahama warned of the erosion of multilateral trade systems in favor of self-serving protectionist policies, particularly by global economic powers.
He said this shift signals a new global order in which African countries must become more self-reliant.
“We are no longer living in a world of free trade dinners. Africa must mobilize revenue locally and reduce overdependence on external aid,” he said.
President Mahama acknowledged the support of development partners such as the African Development Bank, but insisted that the continent must harness its own natural resource endowments to finance its development.
AfCFTA and the Need for Functional Trade Infrastructure
President Mahama also highlighted the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to transform intra-African trade. While many countries have ratified the protocol, he said real progress depends on investment in physical infrastructure.
“It’s not enough to have a free trade agreement. Without roads, railways, ports, and aviation links, trade between African countries cannot flourish,” he said.
He commended AfDB and its partners for prioritizing investments in trade infrastructure, calling these projects timely and essential for unlocking Africa’s economic potential.
Non-Tariff Barriers Hindering Africa’s Processed Exports
Despite the push for local processing, Mahama pointed out that non-tariff barriers remain a major obstacle for African entrepreneurs seeking to export value-added products, especially to European and American markets.
“An indigenous Ghanaian setting up a cocoa processing plant often struggles to meet export requirements, while foreign investors face fewer hurdles,” he lamented.
Ghana’s Vision for a Competitive Cocoa Sector
Ghana is positioning itself as a regional leader in cocoa processing, aiming to expand export-led growth and industrial transformation.
President Mahama stressed the need for inclusive policies that empower local businesses and remove structural trade barriers.
“This is the only way Africa can take charge of its development. We must process more, trade more, and retain more value right here on the continent,” he added.
