The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA) has successfully hosted its maiden global webinar, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the future and sustainability of the cocoa industry.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Tawiah Agyarko-Kwarteg, Deputy Executive Secretary and Technical Manager of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGHCI), on behalf of H.E. Alex Assanvo, the Executive Secretary of CIGHCI, commended COFAAA’s President and Global Coordinator, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, and his team for establishing a regional organization to amplify the voices of cocoa farmers.
She emphasized that the initiative aligns with CIGHCI’s vision of promoting cocoa farmers’ prosperity through three key sustainability pillars: economic, social, and environmental.
She further highlighted the role of CIGHCI, which was established by the presidents of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to address key issues affecting cocoa farmers, particularly in securing fair remuneration through better pricing. She noted that both countries, which account for 70% of Africa’s cocoa production, are committed to improving farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring equitable benefits within the cocoa value chain.
Addressing economic sustainability, Mrs. Agyarko-Kwarteg explained that CIGHCI is focused on securing fair pricing for cocoa farmers while also strengthening local processing and value addition to enhance their earnings.
On environmental sustainability, she noted ongoing efforts to combat cocoa pests and diseases, including the cocoa swollen shoot disease, by developing drought- and pest-resistant cocoa varieties and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.
Regarding social sustainability, she emphasized the importance of cooperative formations at the community level, which would enhance farmers’ bargaining power, improve incomes, and empower women to better support their households.
