The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is set to officially transfer rehabilitated farms across cocoa regions to farmers next month, aiming to boost cocoa production and increase annual cocoa stocks for higher farmer incomes.

At the launch of the 2024 National Chocolate Week Celebration in Accra, Emmanuel Ray Ankrah, Deputy CEO of COCOBOD, spoke about the importance of productivity enhancement programs like pruning and mass-spraying to ensure cocoa production growth.

Despite challenges such as illegal mining and climate change contributing to cocoa bean shortages, Mr. Ankrah highlighted COCOBOD's success in productivity initiatives over the past seven years.

He emphasized the commitment to promoting local cocoa consumption and supporting small-scale processors for innovation and diversification.

The focus on the youth as a potential market, initiatives like Chocolate City, and nationwide campaigns aim to raise awareness about cocoa's nutritional benefits and cultural significance.

COCOBOD's efforts since 2017 have increased local cocoa processing, with a goal to raise per capita consumption from 0.45kg to at least 1kg within a 5–7-year period.

Mr. Ankrah stressed the need to consolidate gains and cited Europe and the Americas as benchmarks for further growth in Ghana's cocoa industry.