Mahama urges Ghanaians to celebrate processed cocoa, not only raw bean exports

President John Dramani Mahama has urged a major transformation of Ghana’s cocoa sector, calling for a move away from the export of raw beans towards the production and export of value-added cocoa products.

Speaking at a summit in Accra on Tuesday, he said Ghana’s status as the world’s leading exporter of raw cocoa beans should not be seen as an achievement. According to him, the country must instead take pride in becoming a top exporter of processed cocoa.

He explained that the current funding model, where cocoa beans are used as collateral to secure loans for purchases and exports, limits the amount available for local processors. To reverse this, government plans to raise funds locally, pay farmers directly and reserve a portion of cocoa for domestic processing. The strategy also aims to expand processing capacity, create jobs and help stabilise prices.

The President’s comments come as the Ghana Cocoa Board implements cost-cutting measures to deal with financial challenges. The board has reduced salaries of its executive management by 20 percent and senior staff by 10 percent, alongside procurement reforms and staff rationalisation.

COCOBOD Chief Executive Randy Abbey said the measures are necessary to ease liquidity pressures and keep the sector competitive.

President Mahama stressed that the current difficulties should serve as a turning point to strengthen the cocoa value chain, create more local employment and ensure Ghana gains greater benefits from its cocoa resources.

Source: Sekunde FM