Scaling Sustainable Cocoa Farming in Ghana – The Sankofa Project

RegionAfrica
FocusFood production, Diversification, Rehabilitation of cocoa, Carbon sequestration
Main cropCocoa
DurationNov 2016 – Nov 2023
ByECOTOP Suisse
Tags
Size450 ha DAF
CO2 saved75,000 t
Beneficiaries3,500 producers

Transforming Cocoa Production in Ghana with Dynamic Agroforestry

A holistic initiative supporting 3,500 producers to enrich soil, combat deforestation, and build a sustainable supply chain from farms to markets.

A pilot phase with 15 lead farmers was started in April 2016 testing the acceptance of non burning techniques and the dynamic agroforestry approach in the Goaso and Sancore region. The experiences achieved during the pilot phase faciltate considerably the design and  upscaling within the scope of a broader Project.

Up from 2019 a bigger Project is starting for CO2 insettings of COOP, thus about 450 ha of cocoa has to be replanted applying the principles of dynamic agroforestry.

Boosting Food Security and Carbon Sequestration in Cocoa Farming

The Sankofa project promotes more diverse cocoa production systems to improve farmers’ livelihoods. The project helps to enrich the soil, diversify crops, increase food security and halt and reverse deforestation in the area. As well as bringing many benefits for the farmers this holistic project effectively addresses climate change by increasing carbon sequestration at the farms. Finally, a key element in the success of the project is building a sustainable supply chain, from the farmer to the shop floor.

Project Partners

CSIR Ghana logo – Scientific research and technology innovation for sustainable agriculture and industry.

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is Ghana’s leading research institution dedicated to scientific innovation, technology development, and sustainable resource management. Established to drive economic growth and environmental...
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Chocolats Halba

Chocolats Halba is a Swiss premium chocolate manufacturer known for its commitment to sustainability, fair trade, and high-quality chocolate production. As part of Coop Switzerland, the company prioritizes ethical sourcing...
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Coop

Coop is one of Switzerland’s largest retail and wholesale companies, recognized for its strong commitment to sustainability, fair trade, and responsible sourcing. The company integrates environmental and social responsibilityinto its...
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Logo of Nature & Development Foundation (NDF), featuring a butterfly and the organization's name in black text.

Nature and Development Foundation

Nature and Development Foundation (NDF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to balancing environmental conservation with sustainable development. Established in 2013 in Ghana, NDF builds on years of conservation efforts in...
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Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa logo – Promoting sustainability and collaboration in cocoa production with partners like Ecotop.

SWISSCO

The Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together actors from the cocoa and chocolate industry, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, and research institutions. The...
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Fairtrade logo – Global certification for ethical trade and sustainable farming practices.

Fairtrade

Fairtrade is a global certification initiative dedicated to ensuring ethical and sustainable trade practices across various industries, particularly in agriculture and commodity production. With a strong presence in the cocoa,...
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Kuapa Kokoo logo – Ghana’s largest cocoa cooperative, promoting fair trade and sustainable cocoa farming.

KUAPA KOKOO

Kuapa Kokoo is Ghana’s leading cooperative of smallholder cocoa farmers, dedicated to promoting fair trade, sustainability, and farmer empowerment. Founded in 1993, the cooperative provides over 100,000 cocoa farmers with...
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nternational Trade Centre (ITC) logo – A joint agency of the UN and WTO, supporting global trade development and sustainability.

International Trade Centre

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a multilateral agency dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries through trade-related technical assistance. Jointly mandated by the United Nations (UN) and...
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