The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Rune Skinnebach, has paid a courtesy call on the management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to discuss sustainability, farmer incomes, and compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The engagement highlighted Ghana’s leadership in child labour risk management and education, as well as cocoa traceability, through systems such as the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System (GCTS), which links individual farms to export shipments.
The visit comes ahead of an official field assessment by Ms Catarina Vieira, a Member of the European Parliament, who is expected to review Ghana’s compliance with EUDR standards.
During the meeting, COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr Randy Abbey briefed the delegation on the financial pressures facing the cocoa sector and stressed the urgency of pricing reforms to protect farmer incomes and ensure sector stability.
Dr Abbey also emphasised the need to accelerate the rehabilitation of over 400,000 hectares of diseased cocoa farms, a measure critical to sustaining production and long-term growth.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on sustainability, farm rehabilitation, and the long-term development of Ghana’s cocoa industry, signalling a shared focus on responsible production and international market compliance.
