The workshop drew an international and inclusive mix of cocoa sector stakeholders from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has hosted researchers, policymakers, farmers, representatives of civil society organisations and private-sector actors from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire for a two-day dissemination workshop under the Cocoa4Future project. Coordinated in Ghana by CIRAD in partnership with ISSER, the School of Agriculture at the University of Ghana, and with contributions from the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), the five-year project aims to support the agroecological and organisational transition of cocoa farming in West Africa.
Funded by the European Union and the French government through the French Development Agency (AFD), Cocoa4Future combined rigorous, multidisciplinary research with extensive engagement of cocoa farmers and cooperatives across major production regions. Work conducted in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire has generated important insights into agroforestry models, disease pressures, climate variability, certification systems, livelihood strategies and the socio-economic dynamics shaping cocoa production today. In Ghana, the project produced three PhD and three MPhil theses and established long-term cocoa farm observatories in Western and Ashanti regions.
Opening the event, Prof. Felix Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the Research and Innovation Directorate at the University of Ghana, emphasised that the value of research lies in its connection to policy and practice, noting that scientific work “must involve policymakers and stakeholders, otherwise it cannot meaningfully support national development.” The workshop therefore served not only to present results but also to engage farmers, cooperatives, government agencies, civil society, and private-sector representatives in validating and shaping the recommendations.
Innovative engagement approach produces shared experiences, informed insights and recommendations
The sessions highlighted key pressures facing the cocoa sector—from declining forest cover and the spread of Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease to land and labour constraints, climate-related yield variability, and mixed impacts of certification. Farmers shared firsthand experiences of price volatility, challenges accessing inputs, and the growing threat of illegal mining, while researchers emphasised vulnerabilities linked to low-shade systems and the need for more resilient agroforestry models.
A central feature of the workshop was its participatory approach. Through tools such as storytelling, farmers and cooperatives helped interpret research findings, strengthening knowledge exchange. This inclusive process also guided the development of policy recommendations, ensuring they were both evidence-based and grounded in the lived realities of stakeholders across the cocoa value chain.
Dr. Patrick Jagoret, Coordinator of Cocoa4Future, reflected on the scale of the challenge: “In 60 years, African cocoa production has grown at the expense of forested areas that have almost disappeared in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. With ageing orchards threatened by swollen shoot disease and climate change reducing suitable areas for production, there is an urgent need to design farming models that secure decent livelihoods while protecting the environment.”
Dr. Serge Marlet, CIRAD’s Regional Director for West Africa, added that sustainability “requires strong scientific evidence, but also the commitment of all actors,” underscoring the importance of translating research into practical policies that benefit both farmers and ecosystems.
Strengthening evidence-to-policy engagement
Building on this commitment, the Cocoa4Future policy dialogue provided an inclusive platform for learning and exchange among actors, helping translate the project’s scientific findings into practical, actionable recommendations. Participants engaged in plenary sessions and group discussions designed to foster open feedback, while contributing to the preparation of policy briefs that will guide decision-makers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Strengthening partnerships
Following the workshop, Dr Marlet paid a courtesy call on the Director of ISSER, Prof. Robert Darko Osei, accompanied by Dr. Guillaume Soullier and Dr. Pierre Gérard, CIRAD visiting scholars based at ISSER. The meeting discussed ongoing and emerging issues surrounding the CIRAD-ISSER partnership, including collaborative research activities and opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between the two institutions.
Prof. Robert Darko Osei reaffirmed ISSER’s commitment to collaborative research partnerships, noting that “ISSER greatly values its partnership with CIRAD, which continues to yield productive and impactful research, including several valuable collaborations with ISSER faculty.” He expressed optimism about strengthening the partnership in the years ahead.
The dissemination workshop was held on 19–20 November 2025 at the ISSER Conference Facility, University of Ghana, ahead of a corresponding dissemination event in Côte d’Ivoire to share the country-specific results. A comprehensive policy brief, reflecting both the research and the discussions at the Ghana workshop, will be published and shared in due course.
Related media coverage:
EU pushes West Africa toward stricter cocoa standards – Business & Financial Times (B&FT). Read more
EU to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire: Accelerate cocoa reforms or risk market losses – Citi Newsroom. Read more
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