VP. Opoku-Agyemang Pushes Cocoa Value Addition Agenda
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang says the government is rolling out new policies to curb the export of raw cocoa and promote large-scale local processing as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s value-added exports.
She said the initiative aims to boost domestic production capacity, create jobs, and position Ghana more competitively in global trade.
Speaking at the European Union Sustainable Cocoa Initiative in Brussels, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang disclosed that government incentives have already expanded the country’s cocoa processing capacity to about 500,000 tonnes.
She called for greater institutional and financial support for small-scale processors, particularly in rural communities, to ensure inclusive participation in the sector.
“Our shared challenge is to move beyond commodity dependence toward a partnership rooted in value addition, sustainability, and fairness,” she stated. “For Ghana, processing more of our beans at home is not only a legitimate aspiration but a strategic imperative.”
The Vice President added that deepening collaboration between Ghana and the EU remains key to achieving a more equitable and sustainable global cocoa value chain.
