- The two leading cocoa-producing countries Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have signed a deal to establish a joint Secretariat -Côte d’Ivoire – Ghana Cocoa Initiative- with headquarters in Accra, the capital of Ghana.
- It will act as the “mouthpiece of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in terms of all cocoa matters.”
- The cooperation agreement is a major breakthrough in consolidating their position in the international cocoa market.
The two leading cocoa-producing countries Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have signed a deal to establish a joint Secretariat -Côte d’Ivoire – Ghana Cocoa Initiative- with headquarters in Accra, the capital of Ghana. It will act as the “mouthpiece of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in terms of all cocoa matters.” The cooperation agreement is a major breakthrough in consolidating their position in the international cocoa market. Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, jointly account for about 70% of the world’s cocoa output. According to official reports, Cameroon and Nigeria also propose to join the Initiative.
Both the countries together through the Initiative are committed to uplift the cocoa farmers with improved incomes, harmonize the interests of the two West African cocoa producing giants at the international level.
. The mandate of the Secretariat includes overseeing, planning and execution of multiple functions to maximize cocoa output, processing and consumption as well as exports to foreign markets. It will also plan and execute future agenda.
The Steering Committee will be the highest decision-making body of the initiative. It will formulate rules and regulations, ensure the hassle-free implementation of the charter and monitor the functioning of the Secretariat. All budgets and work programs of the Initiative has to be approved by the steering committee. It will also decide the rights and responsibilities of member countries and resolve conflicts among the member countries.
The two cocoa regulatory bodies, Ghana Cocoa Board and Conseil du Cafe Cacao are already working on issues including the sustainability of cocoa production, research and marketing of cocoa from both countries.
