President Mahama to Attend Cocoa Summit in Abidjan

President John Dramani Mahama is expected in Abidjan for a high-level summit between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana on the future of the global cocoa economy.

During the meeting, President Mahama is due to hold bilateral talks with his Ivorian counterpart, Alassane Ouattara, as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation and develop strategies to ensure a sustainable cocoa sector.

The summit follows a series of preparatory engagements under the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), a joint platform aimed at coordinating policy and advancing the interests of cocoa farmers in both countries.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Ghana’s Finance Minister and Chairman of the CIGCI Steering Committee, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, said discussions so far had been constructive and were expected to produce stronger measures to support the cocoa industry.

He said the priority remained improving conditions for farmers and ensuring the long-term stability of the sector.

“The cocoa industry will be better protected, and the cocoa farmer will be the ultimate beneficiary,” Dr Forson said.

He added that the preparatory talks had produced common positions between the two countries.

“The meeting was very fruitful, and we have arrived at common positions that will protect the cocoa farmer,” he said.