We’ll turn things around in the cocoa sector – Randy Abbey

Dr. Ransford Abbey, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has assured stakeholders in the cocoa industry of his commitment to improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and advancing development within the sector.

Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV’s Charles Owusu Kumi in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr. Abbey reaffirmed his dedication to President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for the cocoa sector.

He noted that this vision prioritizes placing farmers at the core of policy formulation and implementation.

The acting CEO also revealed that he has already begun engaging directly with cocoa farmers as part of his hands-on leadership approach, signalling his intention to build strong partnerships with stakeholders.

“All we will bring on board will be hard work and strong leadership to deliver on the President’s vision as long as the cocoa industry is concerned.

“I had a meeting with cocoa farmers this morning and the President’s vision is to put the cocoa farmer at the centre of everything so we will engage more and we know where the problems are and we are going to turn things around.”

Ghana, as the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa, relies heavily on the crop for export earnings and as a significant contributor to its economy.

However, cocoa farmers have long grappled with issues such as low prices, limited access to inputs, and the impact of climate change on production.

Randy Abbey acknowledged these challenges and underscored the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.