The Board Chairman of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has announced that Ghana is targeting 650,000 metric tonnes of cocoa production as part of efforts to revitalize the cocoa industry.
Mr. Ofosu Ampofo disclosed this during a visit to the Western North Region, where he engaged traditional leaders (Nananom) and key stakeholders in the cocoa sector.
The visit which took place on November 19, 2025, included an interaction with the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council to discuss strategies for increasing cocoa production in the region.
During his address, the COCOBOD Chairman expressed concern over the decline in cocoa production, revealing that Ghana’s current output has dropped to 450,000 metric tonnes.
He emphasized that the Board’s new target of 650,000 metric tonnes is achievable with the collective effort of farmers, traditional authorities, and government agencies.
He explained that the goal is to steadily increase cocoa production each year so that within the next four years, Ghana can regain its high production levels and strengthen its position on the world market.
According to him, achieving this goal will require strong support from Nananom, particularly through the provision of more farmlands for cocoa cultivation.
He also identified cocoa smuggling as a major factor contributing to the decline in production, lamenting that many farmers continue to smuggle cocoa beans to neighboring countries such as Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.
He, therefore appealed to Nananom to assist COCOBOD in curbing smuggling activities and ensuring that Ghana meets its production targets.
Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, Chief of Sefwi Boinzan and Acting President of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, commended COCOBOD for its renewed commitment to improving the cocoa industry.
He assured that traditional leaders are ready to support the government by making land available for large-scale cocoa farming.
Nana Ofori Ahenkan II also urged the government to make cocoa farming more attractive to the youth through partnerships with private investors, which he said would help create jobs and boost productivity.
He further called for reforms in the COCOBOD Scholarship Scheme, lamenting that the initiative originally meant for the children of cocoa farmers has been hijacked by the privileged, leaving many cocoa farmers’ families without access.
He encouraged COCOBOD to ensure that under its new leadership, the scholarship truly benefits the children of cocoa farmers.
Source: 3news.com
