At a high-level summit focused on the Ivory Coast-Ghana Cocoa Initiative, held on June 16, 2026, the leaders of both nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering a sustainable cocoa economy. Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara and Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the urgency of addressing global and environmental challenges while securing the future of this vital sector.
Strengthening economic sovereignty through cocoa
President Ouattara underscored that the cocoa industry represents a cornerstone of economic sovereignty, social stability, and shared prosperity for both Ivory Coast and Ghana. The sector sustains millions of livelihoods in rural communities, driving employment, household incomes, and national development funding. He praised the progress achieved under the joint initiative but warned that persistent hurdles—such as price volatility, climate change impacts, and tightening international sustainability regulations—demand urgent, coordinated action.
Highlighting the need for African unity in global cocoa governance, Ouattara called for the formation of a continental coalition of cocoa-producing nations. This alliance would amplify Africa’s influence in shaping policies that directly affect the industry’s future.
A shared vision for resilience and growth
For his part, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama echoed the call for deeper collaboration, stressing the importance of increased investment in the sector. He advocated for stronger institutional ties between the two countries to bolster resilience and ensure farmers have the resources and support needed to maintain production.
« Our shared goal is to equip cocoa farmers with the tools and opportunities to thrive, ensuring the industry’s long-term viability, » Mahama stated. The leaders’ remarks came as the two nations collectively account for over 60% of global cocoa production, with Africa supplying nearly 80% of the world’s supply.
