Translating research into Action: Cocoa4Future policy dialogue on cocoa sustainability Cocoa4Future Workshop

The Cocoa4Future (C4F) national dialogue workshop brought together stakeholders across Ghana's cocoa sector to translate five years of research findings into actionable, context-specific policy recommendations. Representatives from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), the University of Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, private-sector actors, and cocoa-farmer groups participated in the two-day dialogue. Key challenges emphasized by researchers and farmers included illegal mining (galamsey), ageing farmers, Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD), poor soil biomass, labor shortages, erratic rainfall linked to climate change, and inequitable input distribution. Research presentations highlighted the economic and ecological potential of cocoa agroforestry, the importance of shade management, and the need for disease‑tolerant cocoa varieties. Roundtable discussions underscored the importance of institutional coordination, youth engagement, monitoring systems, farmer social capital, and aligning certification schemes with farmer realities. Panelists emphasized strengthening extension services, developing early-warning systems, expanding access to climate-resilient varieties, and ensuring transparent, timely distribution of inputs. The workshop concluded with a consolidated set of recommendations focused on improving governance, supporting farmer livelihoods, enhancing agroforestry adoption, reinforcing monitoring systems, and promoting research uptake. These insights will contribute to the national policy brief guiding Ghana's transition toward a sustainable, resilient cocoa sector.