Cocoa sector will rise again under Mahama –Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo pledges

The newly appointed Board Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has vowed to restore the cocoa sector to its former glory, describing it as a national duty tied to the economic and social fabric of the country.

Delivering his inaugural address at COCOBOD’s headquarters in Accra, Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo expressed profound appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence reposed in the new Board, while pledging the team’s commitment to rehabilitating and modernising Ghana’s cocoa industry.

He lamented the sector’s decline since 2017, citing neglect, weak support systems, illegal mining, and smuggling as some of the key factors that had demoralised farmers and driven many out of the trade.

Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo called on politicians, particularly those from cocoa-growing districts to actively participate in cocoa farming to serve as role models for the youth.

He noted that involving young people in the sector was vital to its sustainability.

He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to implementing the Cocoa Farmers’ Pension Scheme—a policy initiated under President Mahama—to ensure cocoa farmers are adequately cared for in retirement.

He added that the Board will enhance extension services, support farmer cooperatives, boost local processing, and crack down on illegal mining in cocoa-producing communities.

He also announced plans to revive cocoa colleges to train young farmers in modern agricultural practices and business skills, describing cocoa farming as “a 21st-century enterprise” rather than a relic of the past.

A portion of the statement reads, “The return of H.E. John Dramani Mahama to the highest office of the land has brought renewed hope to cocoa farmers and all stakeholders. The sharp decline in Ghana’s cocoa production since the President’s exit in 2017 has been deeply troubling. The sector suffered neglect and a lack of strategic prioritization. Illegal mining, or galamsey, ravaged cocoa-growing communities, destroyed arable land and contaminating water bodies. Smuggling and weak support systems further demoralized farmers and pushed many out of the trade. Today, I stand before you to pledge, on behalf of the Board, our total commitment to rehabilitating the cocoa sector to restoring its dignity, profitability, and global competitiveness. Under the renewed leadership of President Mahama, this sector is poised for concrete.”

It continued, “As part of our cocoa rehabilitation agenda, we believe this is the time to reset, retool, and reimagine. And on that note, permit me to share this with you. Not long ago, I visited a cocoa district where an elderly farmer jokingly told me, “Chairman, cocoa used to be called ‘the golden pod.’ Now it’s turning into ‘the forgotten pod.’ Even my grandchildren think it’s a chocolate tree from abroad!”. That farmer’s humour captured a serious truth when young people can’t relate to cocoa beyond the wrapper of a chocolate bar, we must act decisively.”