New Rural Service Centre to advance climate-resilient cocoa farming in Ahafo Region

Proforest has unveiled a new Rural Service Centre in Asumura, Asunafo North Municipality, within the Ahafo Region, aimed at bolstering support for cocoa farmers to enhance productivity, strengthen climate resilience, and safeguard forests. Funded by the Walmart Foundation under the Building Deforestation-free Climate Resilient Cocoa Landscape programme, the centre will deliver technical training, farm management services, and a local hub for community leadership and social-environmental governance.

This initiative expands on Proforest’s initial Rural Service Centre established in Dadiesoaba, Asutifi South District, in 2024. The Asumura facility, aligned with the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP), dovetails with the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda and the Feed Ghana Programme, which aims to boost productivity, improve food security, generate jobs, supply raw materials to industry, and connect farmers to markets.

Hon. Joseph Akparibo, Municipal Chief Executive of Asunafo North, stated that this project, under the GCFRP, resonates with the government's agricultural and economic objectives. Abraham Baffoe, Executive Director of Proforest (Global and Africa), emphasized the synergy between sustainable production, environmental stewardship, and community development.

Walmart Foundation's Director of Strategic Initiatives, Simon Hall, expressed pride in backing the project and anticipation of its impact on sustainable cocoa farming and community-led governance of the landscape initiative.