Stakeholders in the cocoa value chain production say even though Ghana is obeying a European Union (EU) condition placed on the country not to expand cocoa farms to forest regions, the practice is fast gaining grounds in other parts of the world such as China.
According to them, the development makes traditional cocoa growing areas such as Ghana and Ivory Coast face unfair competition.
Speaking to a delegation from the European Union on the issue, the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo appealed to the EU to immediately check the practice to protect Ghana and Ivory Coast from unfair competition.
Mr. Boahen Aidoo lamented that the development presents a situation the restricts Ghana and Ivory Coast from cutting into forests to expand cocoa farms but permits other countries outside the African continent to aggressively pursue cocoa plantation on large scale.
In addition, Mr. Boahen Aidoo, accused European companies that buy cocoa beans from Ghana and Ivory Coast of deliberately setting conditions that always keep the global prices of cocoa beans down.
According to him, cocoa farmers from the two countries have been made worse off due to unfair pricing regime dictated by European countries.
Mr. Boahen Aidoo stated that the most important part of the whole cocoa value chain – the cocoa farmer has been relegated to the back, worsening their living conditions.
Story by: Matilda Youpele
