Solidaridad West Africa – Strengthening Farmer Voices in Ghana’s Cocoa Sector

For years, cocoa farmers in Ghana worked within fragmented systems with limited influence over decisions that directly shaped their livelihoods. 

The formation of the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Association marks a major step in this direction. As the first umbrella organization of its kind, it brings together 75 cooperative unions across nine cocoa-growing regions, giving thousands of farmers a unified platform to engage more effectively in shaping the sector.

This milestone is the result of years of structured support under the RECLAIM Sustainability! programme (funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs), where Solidaridad West Africa worked with the Department of Cooperatives, the World Cocoa Farmers’ organization and Agriterra to strengthen farmer organization and voice. 

Since its official launch in March 2025, the association has been engaging stakeholders on key sector issues, including fair pricing, government support, secure land rights, and improved farmer incomes. More importantly, it has created a structured platform for farmers to directly participate in shaping policies that affect their livelihoods.

“Through the establishment of the association, we have been empowered to take a seat at the table to advocate for our welfare, confront our challenges, and enhance our livelihoods by collaborating closely with key stakeholders”. — Issifu Issaka, the association’s president

This development reflects a broader shift across West Africa, where efforts are increasingly focused on strengthening farmer organization, improving access to services and building more inclusive agricultural systems.

Since 2022, cooperative leaders and smallholder farmers have received targeted training and support to improve their participation in sector governance and decision-making.

In 2023, a formal partnership with Ghana’s Department of Cooperatives helped scale this work nationally. Cooperative leaders were trained in governance, strategic planning, financial management, conflict resolution and business communication, strengthening the foundations of more effective and accountable farmer institutions.

To further strengthen inclusion, a Gender and Social Inclusion policy was co-developed with cooperatives. This commitment was reflected in the November 2024 executive elections of the Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Association, where 13 leaders, including six women, were elected from over 200 candidates, signalling a gradual but important shift in leadership representation within the sector.

For leaders like Comfort Kwaasibea, now Second Vice President of the association, the changes represent a shift in both opportunity and confidence.

“For too long, women were excluded from key decisions in our cooperatives. The training and support gave us confidence to step forward. Now we are ensuring women’s voices are heard where it matters most.”

Between 2020 and 2025, Solidaridad’s work has contributed to measurable results across the region. Over 221,000 hectares of farmland have been placed under sustainable management. Nearly 140,000 farmers have recorded improved yields, while more than 132,000 have seen increases in their incomes.

Across the same period, close to 149,000 farmers and miners have accessed improved services, supported by stronger service providers. In addition, 455 civil society groups have enhanced their participation in decision-making processes, while seven sustainability frameworks have been developed or influenced to strengthen responsible production systems.

These results show that when farmers are organized, equipped and supported, they are able to improve production  and influence the systems that shape their future.

Looking Ahead

As Solidaridad moves into its 2026–2030 strategic phase, the focus is on strengthening inclusive, climate-resilient and sustainable supply chains across West Africa.

The Multi-Annual Strategic Plan prioritises climate-smart agriculture, stronger farmer organizations, improved access to services and finance, and fairer and more transparent markets. It also reinforces support for sustainable land use, responsible production practices and greater inclusion of women and young people in agricultural systems.

The strategy builds on existing progress while scaling practical solutions that help farmers adapt to climate change, improve productivity and strengthen long-term resilience.

At its core, it demonstrates a continued commitment to ensuring that farmers are not only part of agricultural systems, but active contributors to shaping them

Who We Are

Solidaridad West Africa is part of the Solidaridad Network, an international network organization with over 55 years of experience in developing solutions to make small-scale farmers and their communities more resilient and create more sustainable agricultural supply chains.

With the regional office in Ghana and a presence across Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, Togo and Chad, Solidaridad West Africa plays a catalytic role in transforming supply chains. Its work focuses on enabling farmers, miners and workers to produce in balance with nature, while strengthening systems that ensure fair and profitable opportunities. Through partnerships with governments, private sector actors, civil society and communities, the organization continues to drive practical solutions that respond to both local realities and global sustainability goals.

Our market transformation approach brings together farmers, markets, consumers, and governments in mutually beneficial partnerships. We mainstream climate-smart practices, digital innovations, gender inclusion, youth empowerment, and community resilience, all while advocating for policies that make sustainability the norm.

To learn more about our work and explore partnership opportunities, please visit this page on our website. You can also click here to find out more about the Reclaim Sustainability programme.