Government Reaffirms Support for Cocoa Sector as Vice-President Backs Value Addition Drive

Ghana’s Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening strategic institutions in the cocoa sector as part of efforts to boost national revenue and transform the industry.
Speaking during a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) at the Jubilee House in Accra, she stressed that Ghana must shift from relying on raw cocoa exports to producing high-value, Ghana-made cocoa products.

Ghana’s Cocoa Transformation Agenda

For decades, Ghana has depended heavily on exporting raw cocoa beans. According to the Vice-President, this model no longer delivers the revenue and growth required in today’s competitive global market.

Key Focus Areas of Ghana’s Cocoa Strategy

• Increasing value addition through local processing

• Enhancing competitiveness of Ghana-made cocoa products

• Supporting job creation and industrial growth

• Strengthening domestic consumption of processed cocoa

• Expanding export markets through AfCFTA

Government’s Position: Value Addition Is the Future

“Our mission is to transform Ghana’s cocoa sector from exporting raw beans to exporting proudly Ghanaian, high-value products,” Prof Opoku-Agyemang said.
She emphasised that CPC is at the centre of this transformation, and assured the company of government’s full support.

She added that local processing is no longer optional:
“Processing our cocoa locally is not just an economic priority; it is central to Ghana’s industrial growth and economic sovereignty.”

CPC Leadership Engages the Vice-President

The CPC delegation was led by its Managing Director, Professor William Coffie.
Discussions focused on:

• Expanding Ghana’s cocoa value-addition strategy

• Improving competitiveness of Ghanaian products in regional and international markets

• Strengthening domestic distribution channels

During the meeting, a citation was presented to the Vice-President in recognition of her strong advocacy for value addition and her support for promoting Ghanaian-processed cocoa products.

Growing the Domestic Market: Schools as a Priority

Prof Opoku-Agyemang encouraged CPC to boost distribution within Ghana, especially by targeting senior high schools.

“This untapped market can increase local consumption, support youth nutrition, and cultivate a new generation that values Ghanaian products,” she said.

AfCFTA as a Continental Growth Opportunity

The Vice-President highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a major platform for expanding Ghana’s cocoa products across Africa.

“AfCFTA provides the avenue to grow markets, enhance competitiveness, and showcase our high-value products to the world,” she said.

CPC Reports Strong Progress

CPC’s MD, Prof Coffie, revealed that the company had recorded significant improvement, including a 100% increase in its share price over the past three months—an indication of renewed investor confidence and market momentum.

FAQs

1. Why is value addition important for Ghana’s cocoa sector?

It increases national revenue, creates jobs, strengthens local industries, and reduces dependence on raw exports.

2. What role does CPC play in this agenda?

CPC leads Ghana’s cocoa value-addition efforts by processing beans into high-value products for both local and international markets.

3. How will AfCFTA support Ghana’s cocoa products?

It offers access to a wider African market with reduced trade barriers, enhancing competitiveness and export opportunities.

4. Why are senior high schools a target market?

They present a large, consistent consumer base and help cultivate long-term appreciation for locally processed cocoa.