Government has announced plans to process at least 50 per cent of Ghana’s cocoa locally by the end of 2028 and achieve 100 per cent local processing by 2030, paving the way for a ban on raw cocoa exports.
The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, announced this while presenting the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
He said the country’s domestic processing capacity would be expanded beyond primary grinding to include cocoa liquor, butter, cake, powder, chocolate, cosmetics and other finished products.
According to him, Ghana must retain a greater share of the value generated from its cocoa industry by ensuring that local enterprises, researchers, brands and skilled workers fully participate in the value chain.
Dr Forson said the initiative forms part of government’s broader strategy to transform agriculture into a viable business, make agro-processing and industry key drivers of economic growth, and strengthen national food security.
He noted that government would support its agricultural ambitions with irrigation infrastructure, financing for farmers, factories for processing agricultural produce and reliable markets for local products.
The Finance Minister further explained that increasing local production and processing would help improve rural livelihoods, ease inflationary pressures and reduce pressure on urban centres.
He stressed that Ghana’s economic transformation would depend on its ability to grow more of what it consumes, process more of what it produces and export more finished products rather than raw materials.
