The black continent must rule itself

In 2017, U.S Chocolate sales was about $22bn. In 2016, $98.3bn was made from the chocolate market around the world.

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans.

Between Ghana and Ivory Coast, we produce over 60% of the world's cocoa. However, we don't determine the market price which is very worrying. How much did these two countries make from cocoa? Peanuts.

Ivory Coast pays about 50% more to it's farmers than we do here in Ghana. That is why you've people smuggling cocoa to Ivory Coast. There was also the perception of lack of corporate control and high operational cost until this government took over.

Government have plans of setting up factories and revamping old ones to add value to our cocoa. Cocoa production has increased with the introduction of the fertilizer and cocoa spraying project.

I woke up to this wonderful news that Ghana and Ivory Coast will set a floor price where none of these countries will sell cocoa below such price. This will put a sharp focus on agricultural and will encourage the youth to go into farming.

"Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire have agreed to set a floor price for cocoa in the global commodity market, below which none of the two countries will sell its produce" - Daily Graphic, September 14, 2018.

This is a happy day for not just Ghana and Ivory Coast, but for Africa. It's about time other African leaders take cue from what Prez. Akufo-Addo and his neighboring president Alassane Ouattara is doing.

We shall succeed if we work together.