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Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, the Managing Director of Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited (CMC), has issued a strong call for strategic investment in Ghana's domestic cocoa processing industry during the second African Cocoa Finance and Investment Forum (ACFIF). The event was held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 48 Wall Street in New York City.
Speaking on a panel dedicated to bankable opportunities within Africa's cocoa value chain, Dogbey identified several critical areas for investment, including direct production, farm rehabilitation, local processing infrastructure, technology adoption, research, and risk management. He emphasized that existing local processing facilities could significantly increase their capacity utilization if provided with adequate working capital, modern equipment upgrades, and reliable access to international markets for finished and semi-finished products.
Dogbey noted that financing structured specifically around local processing and product offtake agreements would substantially expand value addition within Ghana, while simultaneously creating sustainable employment opportunities. He also highlighted the commercial potential of specialized cocoa-based products, such as cocoa butter soap and body pomade developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), and cocoa pulp beverages that offer farmers secondary income streams.
Furthermore, the Managing Director pointed out that technology providers have a role in enhancing traceability and supply chain efficiency, while financial institutions can design affordable financing and hedging mechanisms tailored to the needs of local traders and processors. He stressed that creating bankable projects in the sector requires capable operators, clearly identified buyers, solid commercial agreements, and financing terms that align with business cash flows.
The forum brought together global chocolate manufacturers, international cocoa traders, supply chain representatives from major producing nations, and institutional investors from Europe and North America. Dogbey's advocacy aligns with ongoing reforms across Ghana's cocoa sector—initially announced in February 2026—designed to accelerate domestic processing investment and ensure greater value retention within the country.
Source: 3News