Ghana is set to host the 2027 World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting from March 16 to March 18, 2027, in Accra, bringing together global leaders in the cocoa and chocolate industry at a critical moment for the sector’s future.
The meeting will be held under the theme “From Origin to Global Resilience,” highlighting the pivotal role of cocoa-producing countries and farming communities in strengthening sustainability and collaboration across the global cocoa value chain.
Announcing the development, Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, said Ghana’s selection goes beyond hosting a major international event, describing it as a recognition of the country’s and Africa’s enduring leadership in the global cocoa economy.
He noted that cocoa remains a strategic national asset, underpinning livelihoods, supporting national development and contributing significantly to Ghana’s economic transformation over the decades.
Despite the global chocolate industry being valued at over US$100 billion annually, Mr. Ampem pointed out that many cocoa farmers across producing countries still live below acceptable income levels.
“This stark contradiction poses a serious risk to the long-term sustainability of the cocoa industry,” he said, calling for urgent reforms to ensure fairness and equity across the value chain.
He identified key challenges confronting the sector, including climate change, cocoa swollen shoot disease, environmental degradation, supply chain complexities and price volatility. According to him, these pressures have brought the global cocoa industry to a critical turning point where resilience, sustainability and shared responsibility are no longer optional.
As part of efforts to address these challenges, Mr. Ampem revealed that Ghana has launched a comprehensive transformation agenda dubbed the “Cocoa Reset.” The initiative seeks to reposition the country’s cocoa sector for long-term growth, resilience and international competitiveness.
The reforms focus on improving governance and transparency, strengthening farmer support systems, boosting productivity, enhancing disease control measures and expanding local cocoa processing and value addition.
“Ghana is determined to move beyond the export of raw cocoa beans and retain greater value within producing countries through industrialisation and local processing,” he emphasised.
Mr. Ampem further stressed that sustainability is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for access to international markets, noting that compliance with environmental and traceability standards is now essential.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to climate adaptation strategies, forest conservation, landscape restoration and climate-smart cocoa production as part of efforts to safeguard the sector’s future.
The Deputy Minister also underscored the importance of stronger collaboration among governments, industry players, financial institutions, development partners and farming communities to secure the long-term viability of the cocoa economy.
“Resilience cannot be achieved by farmers and producing countries alone. There must be fairer value distribution and sustained investment across the cocoa value chain,” he said.
Ghana, he added, looks forward to welcoming global stakeholders—including cocoa companies, farmer organisations, civil society groups and development agencies—to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at building a more resilient and prosperous cocoa industry.
Meanwhile, President of the World Cocoa Foundation, Mr. Chris Vincent, has described Ghana as the most suitable host for the 2027 Partnership Meeting.
Speaking virtually at the announcement, Mr. Vincent praised Ghana’s reputation as one of the world’s leading cocoa-producing countries, known for producing high-quality cocoa beans and supporting farmer livelihoods.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for their leadership and partnership in advancing the global cocoa agenda.
According to him, the 2027 meeting will provide a critical platform for dialogue on the future of cocoa, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address shared challenges and opportunities.
Mr. Vincent also noted that the event will coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Ghana Cocoa Board, describing it as a significant milestone in Ghana’s contribution to the global cocoa industry.
The Partnership Meeting is expected to catalyse bold discussions and actionable commitments toward ensuring a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient global cocoa economy.
Source: businesspostonline
