Report by: Ishmael Barfi
Government of Ghana and key stakeholders in the cocoa producing sector has been called upon to tackle deforestation situation especially the Cocoa &Forest Initiative (CFI) in the country especially in the cocoa growing areas to avoid the risk of collapsing the industry.
This situation according to EcoCare Ghana, an organisation that seeks the wellbeing and welfare of cocoa farmers as well ensure best practices are adhere to in the Industry is worrying that, the chocolate producing companies and government is at risk of loosing it’s cocoa beans.
As a mater of urgency, protection of the environment from deforestation is crucial to restore the cocoa sector from collapsing, hence manufacturers would be out of production of chocolates and it’s related products.
The Cocoa & Forests Initiative is an active commitment of top cocoa-producing countries with leading chocolate and cocoa companies to end deforestation and restore forest areas, through no further conversion of any forest land for cocoa production.
This was disclosed at a press conference held on Monday, 14th February, 2022 at the press center, Accra, addressed by EcoCare Ghana Managing Campaigner, Me. Obed Owusu-Addai.
According to Mr. Owusu-Addai, though Ghana has instituted 14th February every year as a ‘ Chocolate Day’, it is imperative for chocolate producers and government to adhere to the Cocoa & Forests Initiatives (CFI) that gives a clear roadmap of tackling deforestation in cocoa growing areas.
The failure of government and chocolate producers to adhere to the CFI would seriously affect businesses and it workforce.
Speaking to a report of a comprehensive study conducted by Mighty Earth and supported by EcoCare Ghana, the Ghana Campaigner, Obed Owusu-Addai revealed that, cocoa remains a leading driver in the destruction of protected areas.
Citing Ghana and Ivory Coast in the report of the study dubbed ‘Sweet Nothings’, as two countries failing to adhere to pledges in the CFI is a call of urgency.
The Study further projected that it could massively affect the production of cocoa if the current trend continues.
“The tripling effect will then tell on the manufacturing of chocolate not only for consumption in Ghana but for the rest of the world as well”, he noted.
To reverse this act, Mr. Obed Owusu-Addai emphasized that, urgency is of relevant therefore government of Ghana must speedily work hand in hand with cocoa producers made in the Cocoa Forest Initiative.
“What we have found through this report is that five years down the line deforestation caused by Cocoa is still happening”, he acknowledged
Adding that, “We are not saying that Cocoa alone is causing deforestation but we are looking at the contribution of Cocoa to deforestation and that is what this report is about”,hn
“The recommendation in this report is that the governments of Ghana and Ivory Coast should work with chocolate companies to go back to the drawing board, refer to the pledges that they made including not sourcing from forest reserves,” Mr.Obed Owusu-Addai acknowledged.
