Govt to acquire 200,000 hectares for cocoa revival – Ato Forson

The government plans to acquire 200,000 hectares of land for cocoa plantations. This initiative aims to revive Ghana’s cocoa industry. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced this plan recently.

He spoke at the inauguration of a new Board of Directors for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). Dr. Forson highlighted the urgent need for action in this vital sector. He stated, “Cocoa has always been the mainstay of our economy, and that must not change.”

Unfortunately, mismanagement has caused a decline in production and financial stability. Cocoa production has dropped from one million metric tonnes to about 500,000 metric tonnes in recent years. This decline raises concerns about the sector's sustainability and its economic contribution.

To reverse this trend, the government will establish large-scale plantation farms through COCOBOD. These plantations will support smallholder farming while boosting national output and creating jobs. Dr. Forson also emphasized the need to rehabilitate farms affected by diseases.

In particular, swollen shoot disease has devastated cocoa trees in the Western Region. This situation has disrupted many farmers' livelihoods. New legal provisions now require both the Finance Minister and the Bank of Ghana Governor to serve on the COCOBOD Board.

Dr. Forson promised full support from his ministry for COCOBOD’s turnaround strategy. The newly inaugurated Board is chaired by Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo. He pledged to “reset, retool, and reposition COCOBOD as a model institution.”

The government's renewed focus on cocoa comes amid global supply shortages and price volatility concerns. By investing in new plantations and reforms, authorities hope to restore Ghana’s reputation as a leading cocoa producer.