Partners of the Wassa Amenfi Cocoa Landscape Initiative are intensifying their collaboration to accelerate progress and drive the project forward.

Launched in July 2023, the five-year initiative is designed to address both deforestation and poverty associated with cocoa production. It focuses on creating a responsible sourcing model that is specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of cocoa-growing communities. Focusing on the Wassa Amenfi Cocoa Landscape, the project seeks to transform cocoa agroforestry, enhance ecosystem services, and create sustainable on- and off-farm revenue streams for local communities through a well-functioning multi-stakeholder platform.

In a recent meeting, Project Coordinator, Dr. Addo-Danso, stressed the need for improved communication between the partners and other key stakeholders.

The meeting saw the presence of representatives of the project consortium made up of Rikolto Ghana, Solidaridad West Africa, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Touton SA, and Sucden, which represent the Ferrero Group, and the administrative partner of the project, Preferred by Nature.

The Country Director of Touton SA, Mr. Ernest Dwamena, emphasized the importance of a multistakeholder platform for the implementation of the project.

“We must put efforts in bringing stakeholders together through a multi-stakeholder forum so that we can collaborate and discuss the common challenges we face in the Wassa Amenfi landscape. Currently, there is no existing governance structure at the landscape level, which seeks to address relevant challenges in the cocoa and forestry sectors in Wassa Amenfi, that is why establishing this forum is essential. It will provide a platform for us to collectively discuss and determine the way forward,” he said.

Dr. Richard Asare, who is the Country Representative for IITA, also explained that the project has developed a research agenda that is supporting the project activities.

“We are looking at other research agendas covering cocoa rehabilitation, policy reforms, yield, de-risking cocoa agroforestry, landscape planning, and data management that has been developed for the project”.

This initiative is funded by the Danish Ministry of foreign affairs under the Danida Green Business Partnerships.

Preferred by Nature is a global non-profit organization that drives sustainable impact for people, nature, and climate.

The organization is known for delivering mission-driven projects and offering certification programs, advisory services, and training to promote sustainability in agriculture, forestry, and trade.

They help businesses implement responsible sourcing practices, monitor supply chains, and reduce environmental impacts through consulting and risk assessments.