Dangote eyes local processing of over half of Ghana's cocoa by 2028
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson says the Nigerian billionaire has approached him and President John Dramani Mahama about the plan, which would expand Ghana's cocoa value.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has said Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote wants Ghana to process more than 50 per cent of its cocoa locally by 2028. Forson said Dangote personally contacted him and President John Dramani Mahama about investing in local cocoa processing.
Speaking to TV3 after the presentation of the 2027 Budget Statement, Forson also said a major sub-regional businessperson wants to sign a contract to process 500,000 metric tonnes of cocoa in Ghana. He said talks on the terms of that agreement are ongoing and that the investor is ready to begin operations.
Forson said Dangote believes Ghana can process more than half of its cocoa locally by 2028, which could expand the country's cocoa value addition industry.
Why it mattersCocoa that is processed locally rather than exported raw would add value within Ghana, and the government is already negotiating terms with the investor.