Ghana Plans 200,000 Hectares for Cocoa Plantations

Ghana’s government, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), announced plans on May 16, 2025, to acquire 200,000 hectares of land for industrial cocoa plantations to revive the nation’s struggling cocoa industry. 

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson outlined the initiative, which aims to boost production to 1 million tons annually, a milestone achieved only twice in the past 15 years. 

The sector has faced a 31% production decline since the 2019/2020 season, dropping from 771,000 tons to 530,000 tons in 2023/2024, due to illegal mining, aging trees, and viral plant diseases. 

This ambitious plan seeks to reverse these losses and narrow the gap with Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s top cocoa producer.

The initiative will complement smallholder farmer operations, ensuring sustainable growth without displacing existing producers. 

By establishing large-scale plantations, Cocobod aims to modernize cocoa farming, improve yields, and address structural challenges like land degradation caused by illegal mining. 

The government’s focus on sustainability includes measures to combat plant diseases and replace aging trees, which have hampered productivity. 

While stakeholders have welcomed the announcement, details on land acquisition, funding, and timelines remain undisclosed, prompting concerns about feasibility. 

The plan’s success could restore Ghana’s position in the global cocoa market, where it has historically been a key player. 

Forson emphasized that the expansion would drive economic growth and create jobs, particularly in rural areas. 

If executed effectively, this initiative could serve as a model for agricultural reform in other African nations facing similar challenges, but careful planning and transparency will be critical to its success.