Ivory Coast and Ghana join forces to strengthen sustainable cocoa economy

The leaders of Ivory Coast and Ghana have renewed their commitment to fostering a sustainable cocoa economy in the face of global and climate-related challenges. This pledge was made during the high-level summit on the Ivory Coast-Ghana Cocoa Initiative, held on June 16, 2026.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the shared vision of building a fair, prosperous, and sustainable cocoa sector for both nations and the broader African continent. Ouattara highlighted the crop’s pivotal role in economic sovereignty, social stability, and shared prosperity, noting that cocoa supports millions of livelihoods in rural communities while driving job creation and funding critical development policies.

The Ivorian leader praised the significant progress achieved under the Ivory Coast-Ghana Cocoa Initiative, while acknowledging persistent hurdles such as fluctuating global prices, climate change impacts, and tightening international regulations on sustainability and traceability. He called for the formation of a united African coalition of cocoa-producing countries to amplify the continent’s voice in shaping global cocoa governance.

Mahama, for his part, underscored the urgent need for increased investment in the sector to ensure its growth and resilience. He stressed the importance of deepening institutional collaboration between Ivory Coast and Ghana to strengthen bilateral ties, ultimately empowering cocoa farmers with the tools and resources needed for sustainable production. “Our shared goal is to equip farmers with everything necessary to sustain cocoa bean output,” he stated.

Together, Ivory Coast and Ghana dominate over 60% of global cocoa production, with African nations supplying nearly 80% of the world’s supply.