Omanghana
The Government has unveiled a major reform in the cocoa sector that will require at least 50 per cent of Ghana’s cocoa beans to be processed locally beginning with the 2026/2027 crop season.
The policy forms part of a broader strategy to transform the cocoa industry by deepening value addition, strengthening financial sustainability, and positioning Ghana as a leading producer of processed cocoa products rather than primarily an exporter of raw beans.
Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, announced that the directive has received Cabinet approval and will be incorporated into the proposed Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Bill to be presented to Parliament.
According to the Minister, the reform is aimed at retaining more value within the domestic economy, expanding industrial activity, and creating jobs across the cocoa value chain, from processing and manufacturing to packaging and export of finished products.
As part of transitional measures, the government has directed that the remaining cocoa beans for the 2025/2026 season be prioritised for domestic processors to help prepare the industry for the 50 per cent target.
Industry stakeholders have largely welcomed the move, noting that increased local processing will boost revenue generation, reduce overreliance on raw bean exports, and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in the global cocoa market.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, has long faced calls to scale up domestic processing in order to maximise earnings from its cocoa resources. The new reform signals a decisive shift toward industrialisation and value addition within one of the country’s most critical economic sectors.
Source: Omanghana.com
