Edward Kareweh, the former General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union, has warned that Ghana’s cocoa sector is on the brink of collapse if steps are not taken immediately.
According to him the industry is facing numerous challenges and is not achieving the necessary yields, despite the government’s efforts over the years.
Speaking on the Orange Sunrise, Kareweh also pointed to the rise of illegal mining in cocoa-growing regions as a significant factor contributing to the sector’s poor performance.
Mr. Kareweh further explained that, unlike Ecuador and other countries that utilize irrigation and surface water for their cocoa farms, Ghana faces challenges due to the pollution of water bodies by illegal miners.
He also noted that smuggling is a significant issue impacting Ghana’s cocoa industry. Each year, Ghana loses hundreds of thousands of tons of cocoa to smuggling.
In the 2023/2024 season, the country lost approximately 160,000 metric tons, while the previous season saw a loss of about 150,000 metric tons. Mr. Kareweh described this trend as concerning.
He believes that the government can address this issue by introducing competitive pricing in comparison to neighboring Togo and Ivory Coast, which would discourage farmers from smuggling their cocoa across borders.
Mr. Kareweh is convinced that if steps are not taken to combat illegal mining and cocoa smuggling, the sector is at risk of collapse.
Ghana, which once boasted over a million tons of cocoa production, is now struggling to produce even 500,000 tons.
