8th March, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
Cocoa isn't native to Africa. Its roots lie in the Amazon rainforests of South America.
Legend credits Tetteh Quarshie, a Ghanaian blacksmith, who introduced cocoa in the late 1800s after working on a cocoa plantation abroad.
Ghana quickly rose through the ranks to become the world's leading cocoa producer at one point.
In the 1980s, Ghana's cocoa production slumped due to disease, low prices, and severe weather.
Reforms and initiatives spurred a revival of the industry. Ghana remains a major cocoa exporter today.
Sustainability, child labor, and fair prices are ongoing concerns, but there's also innovation and a push for value-added chocolate products in Ghana.
Cocoa is deeply embedded in Ghanaian culture and a vital pillar of their economy.