Ghana produces approximately 20% of the world’s cocoa and is home to 6.3 million hectares of forests, which play a vital role in regulating climate and providing other critical ecosystem services. As a forest crop, cocoa needs these forests to thrive. But cocoa production has been identified as one of the main drivers of deforestation.
The purpose of the CFI is to provide the enabling environment for cocoa players to positively contribute to the preservation of the forests in Ghana. The main objective of the CFI as outlined in the Joint Framework for Action is for the private sector to partner the Government of Ghana and align with national strategies and objectives for reducing deforestation in the cocoa sector.
The Cocoa & Forests Ghana 2020 progress report contains data and testimonials from companies, government officials, civil society leaders and farmers that have been working together, since March 2017, to end deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana. The report shows great achievements in the implementation of the three pillars of CFI: forest protection and restoration, sustainable cocoa production and farmer livelihood, and community engagement and social inclusion.