Organised labour groups, including the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and the General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU), are set to seek an audience with President John Dramani Mahama in the coming months to discuss strategies aimed at boosting cocoa production and increasing output levels in Ghana.
The proposed engagement will focus on strengthening collaboration between government, management, and workers of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to improve productivity and sustain the cocoa sector, which remains a critical pillar of the national economy.
The General Secretary of the ICU, Mr. Morgan Ayawine, disclosed this at the Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the National Consultative Council of the Quality Control Company Employees Union of COCOBOD, held on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Kumasi.
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Ayawine described trade unionism as a powerful movement that amplifies the collective voice of workers, stressing that unity, dialogue, and cooperation are essential for fairness, productivity, and sustainable growth in the workplace.
He underscored the historic and economic significance of cocoa to Ghana’s development, noting that the crop has been instrumental in building the nation’s social and economic infrastructure.
“Despite the availability of other natural resources, cocoa has remained the backbone of our economy. There is a popular saying that cocoa is Ghana and Ghana is cocoa. Without any shred of doubt, it is cocoa revenue that helped build our hospitals, schools, harbours, and many other national assets,” he said.
Mr. Ayawine urged workers across the cocoa value chain to take pride in their role in sustaining the industry and supporting the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians.
While acknowledging the challenges confronting COCOBOD and its subsidiaries, he cautioned against despair, describing the situation as a national concern that requires collective responsibility and decisive action from all stakeholders.
He revealed that ICU–Ghana, in collaboration with GAWU and the Trades Union Congress, has begun mobilising key stakeholders to secure discussions with the President on practical measures to stabilise COCOBOD and support its divisions.
“With this, the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union, together with the General Agricultural Workers’ Union and TUC Ghana, is mobilising the relevant stakeholders to seek an audience with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana to deliberate on practical ways to support and sustain COCOBOD and its divisions,” Mr. Ayawine stated.
The ICU General Secretary also expressed concern over Ghana’s declining position in global cocoa production, warning that the country risks losing further ground if quality standards are compromised. According to him, maintaining high-quality cocoa remains Ghana’s strongest competitive advantage on the international market.
He stressed the critical role of the Quality Control Company in safeguarding Ghana’s reputation for premium cocoa and called on management, union leadership, and staff to recommit to excellence, professionalism, and strict adherence to quality standards.
Mr. Ayawine further emphasised the importance of industrial peace, respect for collective agreements, and compliance with Ghana’s labour laws, describing them as key pillars for productivity, institutional stability, and long-term growth.
“It is for this reason that those of us who are privileged to work within and be associated with the cocoa industry must take pride in our contribution to the development of Ghana’s economy,” he added.
Later at the conference, Mr. Ayawine inaugurated a newly elected union leadership, urging them to work closely with management and government to reposition COCOBOD as a strong pillar of Ghana’s economic development.
Please read full statement- Keynote Address by ICU-Ghana’s General Secretary:
By Daniel Opoku
