Presidents Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and John Dramani Mahama of Ghana have signed a new joint declaration committing both countries to fairer farm-gate prices for cocoa farmers and deeper cooperation across the sector.
The declaration was signed at the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana High-Level Summit on the Cocoa Economy, which took place in Abidjan on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The two Heads of State renewed their shared commitment to a sustainable cocoa economy, placing farmers at the centre of priorities for sector governance and value sharing, building on the original Abidjan Declaration of March 26, 2018, which has served as the foundation for cooperation between the two states.
The declaration stated that Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana together account for about 60 percent of global cocoa production, a position it said confers shared leadership and a special responsibility for the future of the sector.
It also noted notable achievements of the two countries’ joint efforts so far, including the creation of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), the establishment of the Living Income Differential (LID), the harmonization of marketing and price announcements to producers, the implementation of traceability, the African Regional Standards for Sustainable Cocoa (ARS-1000), and cooperation between research institutes to combat the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD).
The declaration further stated that the sector remains exposed to major challenges such as price volatility, illegal gold mining, the adverse effects of climate change, the rise in the use of cocoa substitutes and equivalents, and the increasing demands of international sustainability regulations.
It added that Africa, which accounts for about 80 percent of global production, it still captures only a marginal share of the value in the cocoa-chocolate supply chain.
The two leaders stated they were convinced that fair remuneration for farmers is a pillar of the sector’s sustainability and a requirement for economic justice and social stability.
Consequently, Ouattara and Mahama agreed to harmonize farm-gate price policies to optimize producer remuneration, stabilize the market and strengthen commercial cooperation through several key measures, including market synergy, the alignment of premiums and the harmonization of crop-season calendars.
They also committed to creating added value by increasing processing capacity, encouraging regional and continental trade, and stimulating national and regional consumption of cocoa-based products.
With this declaration, Ouattara and Mahama have agreed to expand the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative to other African countries, to enhance regional cooperation, harmonize sector policies, strengthen collective bargaining power on global markets, and coordinate responses to the emerging challenges of the cocoa economy.
About The Author
