The Ghana Cooperative Council held its second Annual General Meeting in Accra, emphasizing the importance of the cooperative model for cocoa farmers. The meeting served as a platform to advocate for the strengthening of smallholder farms through collective action, fostering resilience and unity within the cocoa sector. A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three member organizations: The Ghana Cocoa Cooperative Association and Marketing Ltd, Credit Unions Association, and the Transport Cooperatives Association. This tripartite agreement aims to pilot and implement the sixth cooperative principle, which emphasizes cooperation among cooperatives, thereby driving growth and positive impact among the member organizations. The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including over 60 farmer cooperatives, unions, and partners from across the cocoa value chain, demonstrating the broad reach and collaborative spirit of the initiative.
Dr. Bernad Bingab, Board Chairman of the Ghana Cooperative Council, addressed the gathering, reflecting on the council’s progress and challenges in 2024. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the supra-apex body, reducing dependency on external funding, and building a sustainable future for the cooperative movement. A key achievement was the establishment of a development fund, with each society contributing GH₵200.00. This fund will support cooperative education, training, development, and provide assistance to struggling cooperatives, as well as meeting national and international obligations. Dr. Bingab acknowledged the significant contributions to the fund, amounting to approximately GH₵60,000.00, and expressed gratitude to specific organizations for their financial support and commitment. He also announced the council’s collaboration with Agriterra on a pilot study exploring interlinkages among transport, financial, and agricultural cooperatives, aiming to create jobs, alleviate poverty, and bolster the national economy. The signing of the MOU marked the official launch of this initiative.
Mr. Kofi Kutame, Former Retired Ag. Registrar of Co-operative Societies, elaborated on the focus of the Ghana Co-operative Council on the agricultural cooperative sector, particularly the potential synergies between agricultural, financial, and transport cooperatives, leveraging the sixth cooperative principle. He underscored the benefits of collaboration, empowering cooperatives to gain expertise, achieve economies of scale, and enhance their overall impact. Mr. Kutame outlined the practical implementation of the pilot project, anticipating cooperatives being ready to access loans from credit unions within six months. He emphasized the collaborative role of the Department of Cooperatives, the Ghana Cooperatives Council, local cocoa extension officers, and credit unions in providing the necessary technical expertise. This pilot is envisioned to run for two years, followed by a comprehensive review to extract valuable lessons for potential scaling up. The collaborative approach is designed to create a more robust and sustainable cooperative ecosystem.
Mrs. Habiba Nyarko Agyemang, Country Representative for Agriterra in Ghana, articulated Agriterra’s commitment to empowering cocoa cooperatives through strategic and data-driven advocacy, sustainable business development, and fostering inclusive economic growth. Agriterra’s support aims to enhance the purchasing and selling power of member farmers, create a unified voice for effective policy advocacy, and establish competitive agri-services that cater to farmers’ needs. This approach positions cooperatives as key advocates for farmer needs, job creators, and professional businesses driving sustainable economic development. Mrs. Agyemang reinforced the belief that adherence to cooperative principles plays a crucial role in maximizing the impact of farmer cooperatives.
Leaders of farmer groups expressed gratitude for the technical support received from the Ghana Co-operative Council, Agriterra, Watergate, and Solidaridad, highlighting the development of a three-year strategic plan for an interconnected cooperative system. They also acknowledged the instrumental support of the Department of Cooperatives in their success, reaffirming their collective commitment towards a brighter and more prosperous future for farmers. The meeting was attended by representatives from various organizations within the cocoa sector, including the Cocoa Health and Extension Division, The Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP), Department of Co-operatives, Fair Trade Africa, Fair Trade Ghana, Agriterra, Solidaridad, and SOCODEVI, further demonstrating the breadth of engagement and collaborative spirit within the cocoa value chain.
The 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Cooperative Council served as a pivotal moment for the cocoa sector in Ghana, reinforcing the importance of cooperative principles, collaboration, and strategic partnerships. The emphasis on strengthening the cooperative model, fostering interlinkages between different types of cooperatives, and empowering farmers through access to finance and technical expertise promises a more resilient and sustainable future for the cocoa industry in Ghana. The meeting also underscored the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, as evidenced by the planned two-year pilot project and subsequent review. This forward-looking approach reflects a commitment to building a thriving cooperative ecosystem that benefits both farmers and the broader Ghanaian economy.
