The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has stepped up engagements with international cocoa trading and processing companies as preparations intensify for Ghana’s 2026/27 cocoa season.
COCOBOD Chief Executive, Dr Ransford Abbey, together with the Board’s Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr Ato Boateng, led the engagement in London, where they met representatives of major international companies with longstanding commercial ties to Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Convened by the Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company (UK) Ltd. (GCMC UK), the meeting provided a platform for COCOBOD to brief its trading partners on ongoing reforms and discuss measures to support the financing and smooth operation of the upcoming cocoa season.
A major focus of the discussions was the proposed financing framework for the cocoa sector, including the planned commercial paper and bond financing programme, liquidity arrangements for the 2026/27 season and the increasing role of private-sector financing in supporting Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs).
The parties also discussed the newly enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182), preparations for the new cocoa season and other operational and commercial issues affecting participants across the cocoa value chain.
Another key issue was Ghana’s readiness to meet requirements under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), with discussions exploring opportunities for stronger cooperation between COCOBOD and international trading partners.
The engagement forms part of COCOBOD’s broader effort to maintain regular and transparent dialogue with key industry stakeholders as it implements reforms designed to improve the sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness of Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The discussions were described as open, constructive and forward-looking, with participating companies welcoming the opportunity to engage directly with COCOBOD’s leadership and share perspectives on the future of Ghana’s cocoa trade.
COCOBOD reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and continued stakeholder engagement as implementation arrangements for the new financing framework take shape.
The London meeting further highlighted the longstanding commercial relationship between Ghana and the international cocoa trade, as both sides explored ways to strengthen cooperation and support a successful start to the 2026/27 cocoa season.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
