Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has said government intends to reset Ghana’s cocoa sector with comprehensive reforms aimed at revitalising the industry.
This comes amid recent challenges like delayed payments to farmers and others along the value chain.
According to him, the reforms have been designed to build an industry which is more resilient and value-driven.
Dr. Forson, speaking with cocoa processors ahead of a press briefing on Thursday, February 12, 2026, he underscored the need to explore value-addition through local processing as part of a broader strategy.
“The sector has sustained this country for years, created jobs, and been the mainstay of our economy. But it is undergoing challenges that need reform. Reforms will be announced today, and I’m confident that going forward, all of us will be satisfied,” Forson said.
On her part, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, stated that boosting value addition along the cocoa value chain will create jobs and help stabilise the local currency.
Dr. Ransford Abbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), also called for a strategic shift away from decades of reliance on raw cocoa exports.
“We intend to change the direction of the cocoa sector. Overreliance on raw beans must end. We need to focus on value addition, job creation, and ensuring farmers receive fair value for their work,” he stated.
