***South Sudan also as it Joins Industry with Ambitious Greenbelt Initiative
In a major boost for Africa’s cocoa sector, COFAAA has hailed Ghana’s new Cocoa Board Committee and South Sudan’s large-scale cocoa project as key breakthroughs.
Ghana’s 11-member Cocoa Board Committee, led by the finance minister under President Mahama, is tasked with reviving the nation’s cocoa output, which makes up 20–25% of global supply.
COFAAA described the move as a “strategic intervention” to address deep-rooted challenges plaguing the industry—including disease outbreaks, illegal mining, and climate change—and called for inclusive reforms that put farmers at the heart of policy design.
“Ghana’s cocoa industry is at a crossroads,” said Comrade Adeola Adegoke, COFAAA Global President. “We cannot afford to lose our grip on global relevance. This committee must prioritize farmer engagement, transparency, and sustainable production practices.”
The group emphasized that Ghana, widely regarded for producing some of the world’s finest cocoa beans, must safeguard its legacy by restoring confidence among smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the industry.
Meanwhile, in a surprising twist from the continent’s youngest nation, South Sudan is making its debut into cocoa production through an ambitious greenbelt initiative led by Nur Microfinance.
The project, centered in Yei River County, has already raised over 800,000 cocoa seedlings, with a target of 10 million seedlings to be distributed to local farmers.
COFAAA described the South Sudan initiative as a “milestone for climate resilience and farmer empowerment,” citing its potential to reduce poverty, boost rural employment, and support reforestation efforts across the region.
“This isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about planting hope,” Adegoke noted. “South Sudan has shown vision. Now, government and international stakeholders must ensure peace, infrastructure, and investment to help this dream grow.”
COFAAA called on African governments, corporate players, and development partners to rally around these developments, stressing the urgency of securing cocoa farmers’ livelihoods amid global uncertainties and threats from emerging producers outside the continent.
Founded to amplify the voices of cocoa farmers, COFAAA is a pan-African body driving change through policy advocacy, farmer education, and regional collaboration. The organization envisions a cocoa industry that is fair, sustainable, and led by Africans for African prosperity.