Renowned economist Prof. Godfred Bokpin has sounded the alarm on Ghana’s declining cocoa sector, which is losing its dominance to other industries like apparel. According to Prof. Bokpin, the apparel industry now generates more foreign exchange than cocoa, a trend he attributes to illegal mining, poor policies, and lack of support for cocoa farmers.

Ghana’s over-reliance on cocoa without proper investment and protection of farmlands has led to a sharp drop in output. Meanwhile, other sectors like apparel have surged ahead in foreign exchange earnings.

Prof. Bokpin criticizes the government’s failure to safeguard farmlands and provide adequate support for farmers, highlighting the devastating impact of illegal mining and irresponsible land use on the cocoa sector.

The decline of Ghana’s cocoa sector is particularly concerning when compared to other cocoa-producing nations. While South America and other regions are boosting their cocoa yields, Ghana’s output continues to decline. This trend underscores the need for urgent policy interventions to revitalize the sector and protect the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.