Ghana

Farmers cracking cocoa pods, Ghana. Pic: MIA

Op-ed

Reality check: What can we do about cocoa’s price?

By Brett Beach & Dr Kristy Leissle

In this exclusive op-ed for ConfectioneryNews by Brett Beach, Co-founder of sustainable chocolate brand Made in Africa (MIA), and Dr Kristy Leissle, a member of CN’s editorial board and the author of numerous books and articles on cocoa and industry politics,...

Nigeria is the fourth largest cocoa-producing country in the world. Pic: CN

Commodities

Nigeria informs ICCO of plans to increase cocoa production

By Anthony Myers

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, has doubled down on the country’s pledge to increase its cocoa production from the present 340,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes by 2024.

Inside Ghana Gold, MIA’s new bean-to-bar line

Podcast

Inside Ghana Gold, MIA’s new bean-to-bar line

By Anthony Myers

MIA, short for Made in Africa, is branching out from its base in Madagascar to work with cocoa farmers in West Africa. Co-founder Brett Beach tells ConfectioneryNews the reasons behind the move – and also provides an update on the situation on the island...

Daniel Aboagye, a cocoa farmer in Ghana's Western Region. Pic: Kristy Leissle

I am a cocoa farmer: Daniel Aboagye, Western Region, Ghana

'Cocoa pays for everything'

By Kristy Leissle

In the third of her occasional 'I am a cocoa farmer series', cocoa scholar Kristy Leissle talks to Daniel Aboagye, who is not only a farmer but a recorder, or purchasing clerk, for the Kuapa Kokoo licensed cocoa buying company (LBC), so he has...

Ghana to increase its cocoa output by 5.8% in next growing season

Ghana

Ghana to increase its cocoa output by 5.8% in next growing season

By Anthony Myers

Ghana is the world’s second-biggest cocoa producer, after its West African neighbour, Cote d’Ivoire. Its main growing season runs from October to September, and while output may increase - a glut in the global market has raised wider concerns about lower...

Tim McCoy from the WCF talks with Joseph Boahen Aidoo (Ghana Cocoa Board) and Yves Brahima Koné (Le Conseil du Café Cacao) about the Abidjan Declaration. Pic: WCF

WCF Partnership Meeting 2019

Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire drop threat of cocoa sustainability ban

By Anthony Myers

Two countries say they ‘reaffirm commitment to eradicating child labor and deforestation in cocoa and will collaborate with all stakeholders to promote and sustain the cocoa industry,’ after meeting with execs at WCF Partnership Meeting in Berlin.

Sarah Ayipahand  and Esi Konadu_Gyeduakese, cocoa farmers from Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana. Pic: Elizabeth Hudson

Sustainability

Divine export success for UK ethical chocolatier

By Anthony Myers

London-based Divine Chocolate is leading the way in the field of ethical and sustainable chocolate as Ghanaian cocoa farmer cooperative plays a key part in UK’s international exporting success with the United States being its biggest market.

Guest Blog: ‘Cocoa farmers’ voices’

Guest blog

‘Cocoa farmers’ voices’

By Zoë Genova

Zoë Genova, membership & outreach associate for the World Cocoa Foundation, samples the sights, sounds and tastes of her first field trip to Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana’s cocoa growing communities.