WCF names Ghana as next partnership meeting host nation
Chris Vincent, president of the WCF, opened this year's partnership meeting. He has just confirmed his departure from the role at the end of this year. Pic: Neill Barston
Following its successful staging earlier this year in Amsterdam, the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has confirmed that its next meeting is set to be staged in Ghana, writes Neill Barston.
The move is a particularly timely, with the nation grappling with continued significant challenges within the sector, that has seen farming communities face reduced pay amid a significant downturn in wider commodity prices that has caused notable concern within the sector.
As the WCF noted, its next meeting is set to be staged from 16–18 March 2027, bringing together leaders from across the global cocoa and chocolate sector at a pivotal moment for the future of cocoa.
The Partnership Meeting will convene representatives from governments, cocoa and chocolate companies, farmer organisations, civil society, financial institutions and international partners to address some of the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities – including climate resilience, crop disease, farmer livelihoods, supply security and long-term sustainability.
As the WCF noted, it will be held under the theme From Origin to Global Resilience, the 2027 Partnership Meeting will focus on the critical role of producing countries and farming communities in shaping the future resilience of the global cocoa economy and advancing stronger collaboration across the cocoa value chain.
Alongside the Partnership Meeting, Cocobod will host a special commemorative event as part of its 80th anniversary programme, recognising eight decades of contribution to Ghana’s cocoa sector and the wider global cocoa economy.
Hosting the Partnership Meeting in Ghana reflects the importance of convening global sector discussions in origin countries and strengthening dialogue and collaboration between producing and consuming markets at a time of significant change for the cocoa sector.
The Partnership Meeting is expected to attract senior international stakeholders from across the cocoa value chain and wider sustainability ecosystem, creating an important platform for dialogue on the future of sustainable cocoa, trade and rural development.
Chris Vincent, President of the World Cocoa Foundation has recently confirmed he will shortly be stepping down for the role, following a memorable spell in the post. He welcomed the move to take the event to Ghana.
He said: “The WCF Partnership Meeting is the leading global forum for collaboration across the cocoa value chain. Bringing the meeting to Ghana in 2027 reflects the importance of convening these conversations in a major cocoa-producing country and close to the farming communities at the heart of the sector.
“At a time when the cocoa sector is facing significant challenges – from disease, climate pressures and supply disruption to farmer incomes and long-term resilience – the Partnership Meeting will provide an important opportunity for governments, industry and partners to align around practical solutions and stronger collective action for the future of cocoa.”
“This announcement reflects the longstanding partnership between Cocobod and the World Cocoa Foundation, and our shared commitment to supporting the future of cocoa,” said Dr. Randy Abbey, CEO of Cocobod..
He added: “As Cocobod marks 80 years of service to Ghana’s cocoa sector, we are pleased to welcome the global cocoa community to Ghana for discussions focused on resilience, sustainability and the future of cocoa farming communities.”
