In a symbolic gesture of appreciation for Ghana’s cocoa farmers, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, spent Workers’ Day 2025 engaging directly with cocoa farmers in Nkawie, a prominent cocoa-producing community in the Ashanti Region.
The visit, part of a two-day working tour of the region, was designed to strengthen stakeholder engagement and gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by farmers. Dr. Abbey was warmly welcomed by over 600 cocoa farmers, traditional leaders, and local residents.
Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Abbey described the occasion as both “symbolic and necessary,” emphasizing the essential role cocoa farmers play in sustaining Ghana’s global leadership in cocoa production.
“Spending this Workers’ Day with you is not only a sign of respect—it is our responsibility. Your dedication drives the backbone of our economy. We’re here to listen, learn, and act,” he said.
Farmers used the platform to voice pressing concerns including delayed and poorly timed distribution of inputs, limited access to credit, inadequate farm roads, and dissatisfaction with current producer prices.
In response, Dr. Abbey reassured farmers of COCOBOD’s commitment to meaningful reforms. He outlined targeted initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, streamlining input distribution, and providing support for climate-resilient farming.
“We are shifting from short-term subsidies to sustainable strategies. Our goal is to empower farmers with the tools, knowledge, and market access needed to compete in a global cocoa economy,” he explained.
Dr. Abbey also highlighted efforts to boost transparency across the cocoa value chain and increase farmer income through productivity enhancement programmes.
The farmers expressed gratitude for the visit, describing it as a refreshing demonstration of leadership that prioritizes the voices and welfare of cocoa producers.
The COCOBOD CEO is expected to continue his tour across other cocoa-growing areas in the Ashanti Region, meeting with additional farmer groups, inspecting farms, and further articulating his vision for a revitalised and sustainable cocoa sector in Ghana.
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By Calvin Dodzi Powell
