The Government of Ghana has announced plans to process at least 50 percent of the country’s cocoa beans locally beginning from the 2026/2027 crop season, as part of sweeping reforms aimed at boosting value addition, creating jobs, and strengthening the cocoa industry.
Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed the policy direction while outlining major reforms approved by Cabinet to transform the cocoa sector.
According to Dr. Forson, the decision forms part of efforts to maximize the economic benefits of cocoa production by increasing domestic processing capacity.
“Cabinet has directed that beginning from the 2026/2027 crop season, a minimum of 50 percent of all cocoa beans should be processed locally, and this will be part of the cocoa board bill going to Parliament,” he stated.
He explained that the policy will not only improve Ghana’s earnings from cocoa but also support job creation within the local manufacturing and processing industries.
Dr. Forson further revealed that government will prioritize the revival of key state-owned cocoa processing institutions to support the new initiative.
“The state-owned Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) will be revived as a matter of priority to become the leading processor of Ghana’s cocoa beans,” he said.
The Finance Minister also indicated that local private cocoa processing companies have expressed readiness to support the policy and expand their operations.
“Together with my colleague, the Minister responsible for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, we have engaged domestic cocoa processors across the private sector, who have indicated that they have the capacity and willingness to process more than 50 percent of Ghana’s cocoa beans,” Dr. Forson disclosed.
As an immediate step, government has directed that the remaining cocoa beans for the 2025/2026 crop season should be allocated for domestic processing to accelerate implementation of the policy.
“Cabinet has directed that with immediate effect, the remainder of the beans for the 2025/2026 crop year should be allocated for domestic processing,” he added.
The initiative forms part of broader reforms aimed at restructuring Ghana’s cocoa sector, including the introduction of a new financing model, strengthening COCOBOD’s operations, and ensuring improved income for cocoa farmers.
Government believes the move will enhance Ghana’s position in the global cocoa value chain by shifting from exporting raw beans to producing more finished cocoa products locally.
