EU, Japan to begin heavy metal testing on Ghana’s Cocoa

The European Union (EU) and Japan will begin testing for heavy metals, especially nickel, in Ghana’s cocoa exports from September 2024, citing concerns over contamination from illegal mining. This move could significantly impact Ghana’s cocoa trade, as North America and Asia are expected to follow suit.

At a stakeholder conference, COCOBOD’s acting CEO, Dr. Randy Abbey warned that Ghana’s premium cocoa status is at risk and urged urgent action to curb illegal mining.

He noted that COCOBOD must invest in advanced laboratories at Tema’s Quality Control Center to meet new international standards.

With stricter global regulations, Ghana faces pressure to protect its cocoa industry by addressing the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.