{
  "id": 19758112,
  "title": "‘Come and buy our cocoa beans, but add value here in Ghana’ – Forson",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/come-and-buy-our-cocoa-beans-but-add-value-here-in-ghana-forson-19758112",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-13T04:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Joy Business",
    "slug": "joy-business",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/come-and-buy-our-cocoa-beans-but-add-value-here-in-ghana-forson/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has called on international cocoa buyers to process Ghanaian beans locally, as the government aims to increase processing rates to 50% by 2028 and 100% by 2030. Speaking after presenting the 2027 Budget, Dr Forson emphasized that Ghana should move beyond exporting raw beans for processing in other countries. He stated, \"We are not saying don’t come and buy our cocoa beans, but if you are a company out there, come and buy our cocoa beans, but add value here in Ghana.\" Dr Forson highlighted that Ghana's traditional financing model encouraged buying beans abroad, allowing other economies to benefit from processing. A recent visit to Bangkok for the World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings solidified his belief in the potential for cocoa value addition. He recalled seeing a wide range of products made from cocoa, such as chocolate and cocoa cognac. When asked if legislation would be used to enforce local processing, the minister revealed that the new Cocoa Board Act already included the requirement and had been presented to Parliament. The Cocoa Board must now process 50% of its cocoa locally, and a Legislative Instrument will set the timeline for achieving full local processing by 2030. Discussions are ongoing about a proposal involving 500,000 metric tonnes of cocoa for local value addition, with Dangote identified as a potential investor. Dr Forson's cocoa plans are part of a broader initiative to modernize agriculture and reduce the country's dependence on imported food. He pointed out that Ghana has ample land, water resources, and a youthful population that could support a stronger agricultural sector. Current agriculture practices are insufficient to address the nation's needs, he argued, citing annual food imports worth about US$3.5 billion. Dr Forson questioned why Ghana continues to import items like palm oil, sugar, rice, chicken, and vegetables, suggesting that the country could produce soybean and maize to support its poultry industry. He believes that investing in commercial agriculture and local processing would better utilize Ghana's resources and keep more value within the economy.",
  "summary": "Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has urged international cocoa buyers to process beans in Ghana, as the government pursues plans to increase local processing to 50% by 2028 and 100% by 2030.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Starr FM",
        "title": "Ghana has restored economic stability, rebuilt confidence in less than two years – Ato Forson",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/ghana-has-restored-economic-stability-rebuilt-confidence-in-less-than",
        "published": "2026-11-12T20:34:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Ghana’s economy would have crashed in 2026 without tough decisions – Ato Forson",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/ghanas-economy-would-have-crashed-in-2026-without-tough-decisions-ato-19751393",
        "published": "2026-11-13T03:47:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}