During the high-level summit on the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana “Cocoa Initiative” on June 16, 2026, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and his Ghanaian counterpart, President John Dramani Mahama, unequivocally renewed their shared commitment to advancing a sustainable cocoa economy.

President Ouattara stated, “Alongside my brother, President John Dramani Mahama, we today reaffirm our unwavering resolve to jointly build a cocoa economy that is equitable, prosperous, and sustainable for Côte d’Ivoire, for Ghana, and for the entire African continent.”

For the Ivorian head of state, the future of the cocoa sector represents a critical imperative for both nations, impacting economic sovereignty, social stability, and mutual prosperity. Cocoa provides livelihoods for millions in rural areas, substantially boosting the income of our populations, generating employment, and mobilizing essential resources to fund vital development policies.

Alassane Ouattara expressed satisfaction with the significant progress achieved through the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative. He emphasized, however, that these gains should not overshadow the persistent challenges facing the sector. These include the unpredictable nature of global prices, the detrimental effects of climate change, and evolving international regulatory demands concerning sustainability and traceability. He advocated for the progressive formation of an African coalition of cocoa-producing countries, capable of amplifying the continent’s voice within the global governance framework of the industry.

For his part, the Ghanaian President underscored the urgent need to intensify efforts and financial investment within this sector to foster its continued growth and development.

John Dramani Mahama articulated his desire for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to further enhance synergy between their respective institutions, thereby strengthening bilateral relations. This collaboration, he noted, is crucial for the sector’s development and resilience. “Our primary objective is to equip farmers with all the necessary tools and support to consistently produce high-quality cocoa beans,” he affirmed.

It is noteworthy that these two nations alone contribute over 60% of the world’s cocoa output, with the African continent collectively supplying nearly 80% of global production.