Cocoa cooperatives in Ghana launch forum for collective action

ACCRA – Cocoa cooperatives in Ghana have developed a strong governance structure that will enable them to speak up as one and be represented across all decision-making affecting the livelihoods of their members.

Cocoa farmers in Ghana have had little to no representation at the various levels of decision-making within the cocoa value chain. They have consequently received minor consideration of the challenges they face.

The 2022 Cocoa Barometer report indicates that power inequalities in decision-making affect farming communities and producer groups due to poor representation at the national level.

The absence of a platform to foster internal cohesion and adherence to corporate governance practices had created a barrier and many cooperative were divided on key issues that affect sustainable cocoa production.

Solidaridad, an international civil society organisation that works with farmers among others, helped to create a platform for 78 representatives from 26 cocoa cooperatives across cocoa-growing areas in the country, value chain actors and key stakeholders to discuss varied issues related to cocoa pricing, living income, deforestation and child labour.

The goal was to establish a strong and vibrant cooperative platform for collective advocacy actions, glean solutions from the rich resource pool of participants and synergize approaches towards attaining sustainable cocoa production.

Through a plenary session held recently, representatives from the various cooperatives in Ghana identified structural and capacity gaps within the various cooperatives, proposing remedies in line with corporate governance practices.

The forum established a synergised cooperative front united on the issues that affect sustainable cocoa production and collectively focused on the actions required to mitigate those issues.

Further, to demonstrate solidarity, the cooperatives signed a memorandum of understanding to signify their dedication towards building consensus and their commitment toward achieving the advocacy goals set out at the forum.

“The forum has highlighted the importance of leaving the silo approach behind and coming together to establish a quasi-union structure that advocates for our interests. This will benefit the entire cocoa cooperative,” said Madam Faustina Adu Boateng, a member of Asunafo Cocoa Cooperative.

He added: “There are groups such as teachers’ unions, and workers’ unions that are well represented and participate at different levels of decision-making in Ghana. They are able to achieve this because they work as a collective body. I believe we, as cocoa cooperatives, can take inspiration from this.”

He said during the plenary session, cooperators had an opportunity to reflect on the practices adopted in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire for cooperative participation. “This has emphasized the need for an umbrella organisation for cocoa farmers in Ghana. The success of this umbrella will be largely dependent on strong partnerships with organizations such as Solidaridad who will help shape our capacity.”

“For cocoa farmer cooperatives to participate at the highest levels of decision-making, there must exist some internal cohesion and adherence to corporate governance practices. Otherwise, the absence of these creates a barrier. Many cocoa cooperatives remain divided on key issues that affect sustainable cocoa production, and thus must work together to present a united front,” said Seth Kankam Nuamah, programme manager for RECLAIM Sustainability programme.

In Ghana, Solidaridad aims to amplify farmers’ voices in decision-making and deepen efforts toward sustainable cocoa production through the programme. I t works with cocoa cooperatives to harness the benefits of interdependence, build their institutional capacities and develop a more coordinated and collaborative approach toward advocacy.

https://thecooperator.news/ilos-accel-africa-project-empowers-nigerias-cocoa-cooperatives/

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