For decades, cocoa has been central to Ghana’s economic development, supporting livelihoods, generating foreign exchange, and establishing our reputation in international markets. Yet one question remains: How much of the wealth generated from our cocoa stays in Ghana?

The 2027 Budget Statement, presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, offers a bold, visionary, and ambitious direction for addressing this question.

The government’s commitment to process at least 50 per cent of Ghana’s cocoa locally by 2028 and 100 per cent by 2030 marks a shift from predominantly exporting raw cocoa beans to adding more value domestically.

This ambition is significant, and achieving it requires more than processing facilities. It demands reliable infrastructure, competitive financing, consistent cocoa supply, strong international markets, and effective coordination across the entire value chain.

For Ghana, the objective is to earn more value from every tonne produced, demonstrating the finance minister's visionary leadership.

At Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC), we recognise that Ghana’s longstanding reputation for premium-quality cocoa and dependable international trade relationships remain among our greatest strengths.

As the country pursues greater value addition, we remain committed to protecting these relationships, honouring contractual commitments, and ensuring Ghanaian cocoa products stay competitive globally.

Our ongoing 24-Hour Operations initiative, anchored on Offload 24, Load 24 and Export 24, reflects the importance we place on operational efficiency, reliable logistics and timely delivery. These capabilities will become even more critical as Ghana expands its participation in the global cocoa value chain.

Equally important is the cocoa farmer. This forward-looking transformation will ultimately improve livelihoods, strengthen the sustainability of cocoa production and create opportunities for communities whose labour sustains the industry.

The Budget’s emphasis on affordable financing and industrial development also creates opportunities for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to venture into cocoa processing, chocolate manufacturing and other cocoa-derived products.

As it should, this policy ambition will be matched by disciplined implementation, sustained investment, and a clear understanding of international market dynamics. The 2027 Budget sets out a direction for Ghana’s cocoa industry. The Government has demonstrated its commitment to translating that vision into lasting economic value, in collaboration with industry institutions, private investors, farmers, and international trading partners.

As Managing Director of CMC, I believe Ghana has an opportunity to strengthen its position in global cocoa trade while retaining a greater share of the value generated by its most celebrated agricultural commodity.

Our success must ultimately be measured not only by how much cocoa we produce or process, but by how much prosperity we create from it.

That is the defining ambition for the next chapter of Ghana’s cocoa industry.