Ghana has launched a new initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Forestry Commission, and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), supported by funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
This collaboration marks Ghana’s participation in the third phase of the Green Commodities Programme (III), which builds on progress made since 2010 toward sustainable agricultural production. The initiative, titled Effective Collaborative Action for Sustainable Commodity Production and Trade, aims to drive meaningful change and promote environmentally friendly practices within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Specifically, the project seeks to enhance governance within Hotspot Intervention Areas (HIA) and strengthen stakeholder effectiveness to address issues like deforestation, forest degradation, farm resilience, cocoa farmers’ incomes, and poverty reduction.
This initiative is aligned with the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) HIA structure, facilitating dialogue and collaborative action among cocoa sector stakeholders through a multi-stakeholder platform. Originally launched in 2015 focusing on Peru and Indonesia, the Green Commodities Programme now extends to Brazil, Malaysia, and Ghana (cocoa).
In Ghana, GCP III targets the vital cocoa production landscape, crucial for the country’s economy and environmental sustainability. Ayirebi Frimpong, Forest Specialist at UNDP Ghana, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing its role in enhancing sustainable cocoa production through strengthened coordination mechanisms at sub-national levels.
The initiative responds to the 2021 Glasgow World Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use, aiming to halt deforestation by 2030. GCP Phase III emphasizes multi-stakeholder collaboration to enhance national, social, and environmental performance in agricultural commodity sectors.
This strategic partnership aims to promote sustainable agriculture practices, support smallholder farmers, and assist Ghana in achieving its 2030 Agenda climate goals while maintaining its status as a leading cocoa producer.
Melissa Salazar, Programme Specialist at UNDP Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems, highlighted the critical need to address agricultural growth challenges, advocating for policies and practices that ensure a sustainable future during the national inception workshop.
This initiative represents a significant step in Ghana’s commitment to sustainable cocoa production. Leveraging the Green Commodities Programme, Ghana aims to create a collaborative environment supporting smallholder farmers and enhancing agricultural practices.
The outcomes of this partnership are expected to contribute significantly to Ghana’s economic and environmental objectives, serving as a model for sustainable agriculture globally.