At COLANDEF, we believe in partnership with state institutions and organizations that deliver services to farmers in different agricultural value chains. Through our partnership with such state institutions, we support in transforming services to farmers.  

For too long, disparities have persisted in the cocoa sector in Ghana, affecting access to services and resources, decision-making power, benefits and economic opportunities for women. To begin the journey of bridging this gap and promoting inclusion in the delivery of cocoa sector services, COLANDEF partnered with Oxfam in Ghana and the Ghana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), to deliver a two-day training on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) for selected staff of the Gender Unit and some Divisions of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). The training form part of Oxfam in Ghana’s Behind the Brands (B2B) Program. 

Ghana is a leading producer of cocoa.  Cocoa is a dominant intergenerational crop, cultivated by households and passed on from one generation to another. Cocoa beans are mainly sold and income from the sale of cocoa beans serves as the main source of income for cocoa producing households. Thus, the cocoa sector in Ghana provides direct and indirect employment and means of livelihood for more than 800,000 of households in Ghana.  

Despite the critical role women and other vulnerable groups play along each point in the cocoa value chain, from the farm to processing and trading, they often face systemic barriers that limit opportunities, recognition and benefits. Addressing these inequalities is not just a social obligation but an economic necessity for building a resilient and sustainable cocoa sector. 

 The GESI training organized under the partnership between COLANDEF, Oxfam and GAWU, was designed to build knowledge on basic GESI concepts, GESI mainstreaming strategies and GESI analysis skills. It was the first step towards strengthening the capacity of the COCOBOD GESI Unit to mainstream GESI in all aspects of COCOBOD’s operations.  

Led by our Executive Director, Nana Ama Yirrah, with support from Bashiratu Kamal, the training program provided an interactive space for learning, brainstorming, group activity and action planning. The training gave participants the opportunity to reflect on personal experiences and experiences in their work which illustrate the GESI gaps in the cocoa sector, impacts these have had on the service delivery by COCOBOD and the urgency to act.  

The training program was more than just a theoretical exercise. It was a call to action. By the end of the two-day training, it was evident that the seeds of transformation had been sown. Participants had a clear list of actions to undertake-both immediate and long-term actions! The need for sustained partnership to continue supporting COCOBOD was obvious and the commitment to making this sustainable partnership work was very well established amongst all involved. 

We at COLANDEF are excited to see the impact of this training unfold. GESI is not just one of the many development concepts. It is a critical concept full of meaning and implication for development outcomes. Its relevance to the sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa sector cannot be overemphasized. As one of the participant’s stated: “just like Ghana’s finest chocolate, equality is sweetest when everyone gets a fair share”. We hope to continue supporting COCOCOD to service a cocoa sector where everyone gets a fair share of opportunities and benefits. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Oxfam in Ghana, GAWU and to the Management and staff of COCOBOD for the opportunity of working together on this beautiful, purposeful journey.   

Together, we will make strides toward a future where opportunities and benefits in the cocoa sector are shared equally because sustainable development can only be achieved when no one is left behind.