Prez Mahama pledges 200,000 hectares to boost cocoa production

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a bold plan to expand Ghana’s cocoa sector by adding 200,000 hectares of cocoa farms to the country’s production capacity.

The president, who is currently touring the Ahafo Region as part of his national Thank You tour, announced on Saturday, May 31, emphasising his government’s commitment to reviving the once-thriving cocoa industry.

“Plans are underway to revamp the collapsed cocoa sector. Incentives will be provided to our hardworking farmers to increase cocoa production. We aim to add 200,000 hectares of cocoa to Ghana’s output to increase the income of our farmers,”he stated.

He further disclosed that the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Randy Abbey, had informed him that a new cocoa producer price will be announced in August, which he assured farmers would be “a very good price.”

“So those of you who do not have cocoa farms, go and start looking for land and start planting cocoa,” he encouraged.

Ghana’s cocoa sector has faced significant setbacks in recent years, including declining yields, smuggling, and pricing challenges. The president’s renewed focus on cocoa is expected to not only restore confidence among farmers but also help boost foreign exchange earnings and job creation in cocoa-growing communities.

The proposed expansion is seen as a key step toward transforming agriculture and ensuring economic sustainability through strategic investment in one of Ghana’s most valuable export commodities.