The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on Monday signed an MoU with Vice Versa Media Ghana (VVMG) and Radix Consult Ltd to support the Women in Cocoa Festival and Awards (WICFA), an initiative amplifying women’s voices in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
For generations, women have worked quietly across the cocoa value chain—planting, harvesting, fermenting, drying, trading, and managing finances that sustain families and communities.
Yet, their stories have often been overshadowed by policy debates and export figures. The signing marks a decisive moment to change that narrative.
A National Platform for Women in Cocoa
The Women in Cocoa Festival and Awards (WICFA) is Ghana’s first national celebration dedicated to recognising and empowering women across the cocoa ecosystem—from smallholder farmers and processors to researchers, entrepreneurs, and advocates.
WICFA is more than a festival; it is a movement. Through exhibitions, dialogues, and mentorships, it connects women to markets, showcases innovation, and inspires a new generation to see cocoa not just as a crop but as a catalyst for empowerment and transformation.
“It’s time the voices of women are heard in Ghana’s cocoa industry. Their resilience has sustained the industry for decades. Now, their leadership must define its future,” said Naana Yaa Boatemaa Asiedu, Country Coordinator of VVMG.
COCOBOD’s Endorsement: A New Era for Inclusion
COCOBOD’s endorsement signals that gender equity is now central to the future of Ghana’s cocoa sector. The MoU commits all three partners to coordinated efforts toward inclusion, training, and recognition for women across the value chain.
This collaboration aligns with COCOBOD’s Gender Mainstreaming Policy, the Dutch-funded DISCO initiative, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 and SDG 8), which promote women’s empowerment, decent work, and economic growth.
The partnership transforms what began as a vision by Vice Versa Media Ghana and Radix Consult into an institutionally backed national movement capable of reshaping mindsets, policies, and opportunities.
Celebrating Excellence and Building Futures
The annual Women in Cocoa Awards will honour women who have shown leadership, creativity, and innovation in production, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and community development.
The 2026 national festival in Accra will feature over 100 women-led enterprises and cooperatives, along with exhibitions, masterclasses, and youth-focused forums.
Regional sensitisation programs will also be held across cocoa-growing regions—Ashanti, Western North, Eastern, and Ahafo—combining dialogue, agribusiness training, and digital literacy for women farmers.
Each event will celebrate achievement while equipping women with knowledge and networks to thrive in the modern cocoa economy.
A Collective Step Forward
The MoU represents more than a procedural step—it is a shared commitment to rewrite Ghana’s cocoa story through inclusion and collaboration.
COCOBOD, Vice Versa Media Ghana, and Radix Consult are charting a future where women are not just contributors but leaders—shaping policy, sustainability, and innovation.
As the Women in Cocoa Festival and Awards gains momentum, one truth stands out: this is not just about gender equity—it’s about justice, sustainability, and the enduring power of Ghanaian women to transform an industry that feeds a nation and delights the world.
“Together, we are moving beyond acknowledgement to action. This partnership ensures that every woman in cocoa knows she belongs not on the sidelines, but at the centre of Ghana’s cocoa legacy,” said Susan Hermina Yemidi.
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