‘Dangote has reached out to use Ghana as a hub to process cocoa locally’ – Ato Forson

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says Dangote has expressed interest in using Ghana as a cocoa-processing hub, with discussions underway over a proposed contract involving 500,000 metric tonnes.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday after presenting the 2027 Budget to Parliament, Dr Forson said the engagement could support the government’s drive to process more cocoa domestically.

“Dangote has reached out to use Ghana as a hub to process cocoa locally.”

The minister said the terms were being examined. He did not indicate that a contract had been signed.

“We are going through the terms, and they want to sign a contract.”

The disclosure came as Dr Forson faced questions about Ghana’s capacity to meet its cocoa-processing ambitions. The interview discussed targets of processing 50% of locally produced cocoa by 2028 and 100% by 2030.

Dr Forson argued that Ghana must move beyond exporting raw beans for other countries to process and sell as higher-value products.

He recalled seeing a range of cocoa products during a recent visit to Bangkok for the World Bank and IMF annual meetings. He said the experience reinforced the need for greater value addition at home.

“We are not saying don't come and buy our cocoa beans, but if you are a company out there, come and buy our cocoa beans, but add value here in Ghana.”

Asked whether the government would legislate to support that approach, Dr Forson said a new Cocoa Board Act already before Parliament contained a mandatory local-processing requirement.

He added that a legislative instrument would set out the timetable for increasing processing.

“The LI that will back it will specify that by 2030, by 2030 move from 50 to 100 per cent.”

The cocoa plans form part of a broader push to modernise agriculture and reduce dependence on imported food.

Dr Forson said Ghana had the land, water resources and workforce to expand production, but needed to move beyond peasant agriculture.

“We spend about 3.5 billion United States dollars yearly to bring foodstuffs into our country. It cannot continue.”

He questioned why Ghana continued to import palm oil, sugar, rice, and poultry when it could strengthen domestic production.

He also pointed to opportunities to grow maize and soybean for poultry feed and expand vegetable production.

“All we need to do is modernise agriculture.”