Dr. Mawuli Cofie, Country Director of the World Cocoa Foundation, says Ghana’s selection to host the 2027 Partnership Meeting reflects the country’s leadership in global cocoa production and the vital role of cocoa farming communities in sustaining the industry.
He noted that the global cocoa sector was facing major challenges, including climate change, crop diseases such as Cocoa Swollen Shoot Viral Disease (CSSVD), production risks and economic uncertainty, which threatened farmer livelihoods and long-term supply security.
Dr Cofie said this during the announcement of Ghana as a host of the 2027 World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting 2027 from March 16 to March 18, 2027 in Accra.
The Meeting on the theme: ” From Origin to Global Resilience ” will focus on the critical role of producing countries and farming communities in shaping the future resilience of the global cocoa economy and advancing stronger collaboration across the cocoa value.
It will bring together leaders from across the global cocoa and chocolate sector at a pivotal moment for the future of cocoa.
Dr. Cofie said resilient cocoa supply chains could only be achieved through resilient farmers, adding that sustainability efforts must focus more on improving farm-level economics, ensuring decent and predictable incomes, access to finance, higher productivity and attractive opportunities for young people to remain in cocoa farming.
He called for stronger collaboration among governments, industry players, research institutions, financial partners and development organisations to tackle disease outbreaks, improve governance, finance rehabilitation and support sustainable cocoa production.
Dr. Cofie explained that the 2027 Partnership Meeting, theme would provide a platform for practical discussions on farmer livelihoods, climate resilience, disease control and the long-term sustainability of cocoa production.
He added that Ghana hosting the meeting for the first time underscored the need to shape global cocoa resilience close to farming communities where cocoa was produced.
Dr. Randy Abbey, Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board, expressed gratitude to the Foundation for selecting Accra to host the 2027 Partnership Meeting.
He described the offer as a major opportunity for Ghana and the cocoa sector.
He said the global cocoa industry was at a critical stage as climate change, swollen shoot disease, rising production costs and price volatility continued to threaten the survival of cocoa farms and the livelihoods of farmers despite the multi-billion-dollar value of the global chocolate industry.
Dr. Abbey said sustainability must go beyond environmental concerns to focus on the welfare and incomes of cocoa farmers.
He noted that Ghana was investing in climate-smart agriculture, traceability systems and measures to improve quality and sustainability standards within the sector.
He said the government, was working to restore financial stability in the cocoa sector while pushing for fairer pricing structures and increased local value addition to ensure producing countries retained more value from cocoa production.
Dr. Abbey said the 2027 Partnership Meeting would serve as a platform for Ghana to advocate stronger commitments from international partners, cocoa buyers and chocolate manufacturers towards farmer support, disease rehabilitation and sustainable production.
He added that the event would coincide with the 80th anniversary of COCOBOD and Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary, making it a landmark occasion for the country and the global cocoa industry.
Source: businesspostonline
