COFAAA URGES WORLD COCOA STAKEHOLDERS TO RALLY- ROUND THE INTERNATIONAL COCOA ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO COCOA FARMERS LIVELIHOODS IN AFRICA

COFAAA URGES WORLD COCOA STAKEHOLDERS TO RALLY- ROUND THE INTERNATIONAL COCOA ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO COCOA FARMERS LIVELIHOODS IN AFRICA

 

The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA) proudly appreciates the leadership of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) for their unwavering commitment and steadfast collaborations to the development of the global cocoa economy and cocoa farmers livelihoods. Their dedication continues to illuminate the path for cocoa farmers across Africa, unlocking transformative opportunities and fostering sustainable
growth.
We commend both organizations for their invaluable contributions to African cocoa farmers economy and the global cocoa industry sustainability. Their tireless efforts have driven stability, sustainability, governance and progress, profoundly improving the lives of countless farmers, strengthening communities’ development, and fueling economic growth. Through their pragmatic leadership, they are shaping a more prosperous future for cocoa-producing nations worldwide.
Key areas of impact include:
• Enhancing Cocoa Farmers’ Prosperity: Through various programs and initiatives, WCF and ICCO have played a pivotal role in improving the living standards of cocoa farmers, ensuring their long-term sustainability in the sector.
• Advancing Traceability in Cocoa-Producing Countries: Their efforts in promoting traceability have strengthened the credibility and transparency of the cocoa supply chain, fostering trust and ensuring compliance with international standards.
• Encouraging Collaboration on Sustainable Practices: By facilitating cooperation among cocoa-origin countries, WCF and ICCO have contributed to the promotion and implementation of sustainable cocoa farming practices.
• Agroforestry Intensification and Partnerships: Their commitment to agroforestry has enhanced biodiversity, soil conservation, annd climate resilience, promoting sustainable agricultural practices among farmers

Supporting Cocoa-Producing Countries in Adopting EUDR Compliance: 

Recognizing the importance of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), both organizations have provided vital support to cocoa-producing countries in aligning with these regulatory requirements.
• Advocacy for Human Rights Protection in the Cocoa Value Chain: WCF and ICCO have actively championed human rights protection, working towards the eradication of child labor and ensuring fair working conditions for all stakeholders in the cocoa sector.
• Providing Governance and Stability in the Cocoa Industry: Their leadership and governance efforts have strengthened the cocoa industry, fostering resilience and equitable participation across the value chain.
• Promoting Value Addition and Cocoa Consumption: By advocating for local value addition, both organizations have encouraged industrial growth in cocoa-producing nations, contributing to job creation and increased revenue streams.
COFAAA remains committed to working closely with ICCO and WCF to build a thriving, sustainable, and prosperous cocoa industry. We look forward to continued collaboration in empowering cocoa farmers in Africa and ensuring a brighter future for the global cocoa economy.

ISSUED BY:

Comrade Adeola Adegoke
President & Global Coordinator, COFAAA (Nigeria)

Nana Yaw Reuben
PRO, COFAAA (Ghana)

EPIE Promie Ngol’epie
Director of Finance, COFAAA (Cameroon)

Nabyoullah DOSSO
Secretary, COFAAA (Cote d’Ivoire)

Comrade Adeola Adegoke President & Global Coordinator, COFAAA (Nigeria)

Similar News

The Cooperative Force in Action: Implications of Socodevi’s 2026 Conference for Cooperative Development in Ghana 

The Cooperative Force in Action: Implications of Socodevi’s 2026 Conference for Cooperative Development in Ghana 

  The recent Socodevi 2026 Conference, held on June 12 at Hôtel Le Bonne Entente in Québec City under the theme “The Cooperative Force: Joining Forces to Multiply Impact,” sends a strong message about the growing relevance of cooperative enterprises as vehicles for sustainable development. According to the conference report, Socodevi highlighted the achievements of its 34 projects worldwide, which collectively reached approximately 4.6 million people during the year. The gathering brought together member institutions, administrators, donors, partners, and stakeholders to review progress and strengthen collaboration. For Ghana, where cooperative development remains central to agricultural transformation, rural livelihoods, and local economic growth, the conference has significant implications. Reinforcing the Importance of Cooperative Models  The theme of the conference emphasizes the power of collective action. In Ghana, cooperatives continue to play a crucial role in sectors such as cocoa, shea, cashew, fisheries, credit unions, and agribusiness. Socodevi’s reaffirmation of the cooperative model demonstrates that sustainable development is most effective when producers, communities, financial institutions, and development partners work together. The conference highlights a global recognition that cooperatives are not merely social organizations but viable economic enterprises capable of generating wealth, creating jobs, and improving resilience among vulnerable populations. Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains  Socodevi has been actively involved in Ghana through projects such as PROCED in the Upper East Region, TogetHER in the Ashanti and Western North regions, and other initiatives that focus on cooperative governance, entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, and agricultural development. The conference outcomes suggest that future interventions in Ghana will likely continue to prioritize professionalization of farmer organizations, improved cooperative governance, business-oriented management systems, market access enhancement, financial inclusion, climate resilience and risk management For Ghana’s cocoa sector in particular, these priorities are critical. As the industry faces challenges including climate change, aging farms, low productivity, and sustainability requirements, stronger cooperatives can serve as platforms for farmer training, access to finance, crop insurance, and certification schemes. Increased Opportunities for Development Partnerships  The conference brought together donors and strategic partners from across the world. This demonstrates Socodevi’s ability to mobilize international support for cooperative development. For Ghana, this presents opportunities for: new development financing, technical assistance, knowledge transfer, innovation partnerships and South-South cooperation Local cooperatives and farmer-based organizations can benefit from exposure to international best practices and access to global networks that may otherwise be unavailable.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *