The Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) is making waves in the global cocoa industry with a renewed commitment to securing fairer prices and better livelihoods for African cocoa farmers. A recent high-level meeting between CIGCI Executive Secretary, Mr. Alex Arnaud Assanvo, and Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has further solidified this mission, drawing praise from stakeholders across the continent.
The Cocoa Farmers Association Alliance of Africa (COFAAA) has hailed the initiative as a transformative push toward economic justice for millions of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the industry.
“Beyond policy dialogues, this collaboration represents a crucial fight for fairness, dignity, and sustainability in cocoa farming,” said Comrade Adeola Adegoke, COFAAA President and Global Coordinator. “For too long, African cocoa farmers have been at the mercy of fluctuating global prices and exploitative trade practices. Now, with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana leading the charge, we are seeing real efforts to shift the power dynamics in favor of producers.”
At the core of the initiative is a drive to stabilize cocoa prices, reduce exploitation by middlemen, and ensure that African farmers receive a greater share of the wealth generated from their labor. Institutions such as Conseil Café-Cacao and Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) are working alongside CIGCI to strengthen Africa’s bargaining position in the global cocoa trade, moving beyond being mere suppliers to becoming key decision-makers in the industry.
“We are not just producers; we are stakeholders in the global cocoa economy,” said Nana Yaw Rueben, COFAAA’s Public Relations Officer. “Our goal is to create a future where cocoa farming is a viable and rewarding profession, not a cycle of hardship.”
As consumers and international markets increasingly demand ethically sourced cocoa, the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana alliance is setting a precedent for African agricultural sectors to demand fairer terms. Through farmer-centered policies, transparency in pricing, and collective action, this initiative is redefining Africa’s role in the global value chain.
With COFAAA throwing its weight behind this movement, the message is clear: Africa’s cocoa industry is no longer willing to accept the status quo. By standing united, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and the broader African cocoa community are laying the foundation for an industry that truly benefits those who cultivate its most valuable commodity.
