Former President John Dramani Mahama has announced a bold plan to rejuvenate Ghana’s struggling cocoa sector by introducing 200,000 hectares of new cocoa farms nationwide.
The announcement was made on Saturday, May 31, during his Thank You tour stop in the Ahafo Region. Addressing cocoa farmers and supporters, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the cocoa industry to its former prominence.
“Plans are underway to revive the collapsed cocoa sector. We will introduce incentives for our hardworking farmers and expand production significantly. Our target is to add 200,000 hectares of cocoa to Ghana’s output to boost farmer incomes,” he stated.
Mahama also revealed that the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Randy Abbey, has assured him of a new cocoa producer price to be announced in August—one that is expected to favour cocoa farmers.
Encouraging participation in the revitalization effort, he added, “Those of you who don’t yet own cocoa farms should start looking for land and begin planting.”
Ghana’s cocoa industry has faced persistent challenges in recent years, including falling yields, smuggling across borders, and uncompetitive producer prices. Mahama’s proposed expansion, combined with incentives and a new pricing policy, aims to address these issues, boost productivity, and restore confidence among cocoa growers.
The initiative is seen as a significant step toward rebuilding a sector that remains central to Ghana’s economy and rural livelihoods.
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