Ato Forson calls for sustained Ghana-Ivory Coast ties to advance shared interests

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has called for stronger economic cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to safeguard their shared interests in the cocoa industry.

Dr Forson made the call while chairing the 7th Ordinary Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) in Abidjan, according to excerpts of remarks he shared on his X account on Monday.

In his address, the Finance Minister underscored the importance of sustained engagement between the world’s two leading cocoa-producing countries, describing deeper collaboration as essential to protecting their economies and improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.

He said the meeting followed a virtual engagement held on May 4, 2026, during which both countries agreed on the need to meet physically to strengthen their partnership and address common challenges confronting the cocoa sector.

Dr Forson stressed that continuous dialogue and cooperation should not be viewed as ends in themselves but as tools to achieve meaningful outcomes for both countries.

“As the world’s two leading cocoa-producing countries, we must engage more consistently and strategically to protect our economies,” he said.

“By doing so, we can better anticipate challenges, mitigate shocks, and shape the future of the industry rather than merely reacting to its disruptions,” he added.

The Finance Minister acknowledged that the meeting may not provide immediate solutions to every challenge facing the sector but emphasised the need for a shared commitment to securing long-term benefits for farmers and future generations.

He noted that the partnership between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire remains indispensable and urged stakeholders to ensure its success through practical and actionable measures.

“The relevance and necessity of this collaboration are undeniable, and we must ensure that it succeeds,” he stated.

Dr Forson further encouraged participants to approach the deliberations with openness and a common sense of purpose.

“I therefore encourage us all to engage openly, constructively, and with a shared sense of purpose as we deliberate over the coming hours,” he said.

He added that both countries must work towards transforming the cocoa industry into one that is more resilient, prosperous and profitable.

“The cocoa sector deserves to be transformed into one that is more resilient, prosperous, and profitable for the benefit of both our countries and our farmers,” Dr Forson said.