Ghana's passion for cocoa is a lasting legacy, with a relationship that has been nurtured for over 14 decades now. The produce is not only a significant contributor to the nation's economy but also an integral part of our cultural heritage and socio-economic fabric.

Cocoa has been Ghana's economic mainstay for decades, accounting for a significant percentage of our GDP and employing close to 800,000 smallholder farmers. The crop has also played a crucial role in shaping our social and cultural landscape, with cocoa farming communities dotting the landscape of our rural areas, especially within the central and southern belts.

However, in the green communities of the country where this covert crop is cultivated, and along the entire cocoa value chain, there is a silent force that breathes life into everything cocoa - mothers. These dedicated souls play significant roles in the country's cocoa business.

Despite their immense contributions, the achievements of females in the cocoa business have not been adequately acknowledged. As we commemorate this year’s Mother's Day, I deem it imperative to shine a spotlight on the hard work, resilience, and dedication of mothers, the unsung heroines, whose tireless efforts sustain our nation’s most revered crop.

For generations, Ghanaian mothers have been the backbone of cocoa farming, rising before the sun to tend to their farms with steady dedication and boundless love. Data from the Cocoa Management System (CMS) indicates that, women make up approximately 35.7% of cocoa farmers in Ghana, with many more engaged in related activities. Their hands, weathered by years of hard work, gently nurture cocoa trees that bear the fruit of their labour - the premium quality Ghanaian cocoa beans that are not substitutable in any world-class chocolate cuisine.

But their role extends far beyond the fields. Mothers play a significant role in cocoa trading and processing. They work tirelessly to ensure the quality and integrity of Ghana's cocoa, often juggling multiple responsibilities, including family and community commitments. Thus, from research to cultivation, extension to quality control, marketing to processing and consumption, women's involvement is crucial at every stage of the cocoa value chain.

These stories of our dear mothers are woven into the fabric of our nation’s history - tales of perseverance, determination, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child. In a nutshell, mothers embody resilience in the face of adversity, turning challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality. It is, therefore, right to honour their legacy and celebrate their invaluable contributions to our shared prosperity.

Meet Madam Lydia Abena Larweh, a mother and cocoa farmer from Akyem Tafo Nobi in the Eastern Region, who tends to her farm with precision and care. She rises before dawn to ensure her beans meet the highest standards. Her dedication is not just about producing excellent cocoa but also about providing for her family and community. Women like Lydia face unique challenges, including limited access to land, credit, and technology. Despite these obstacles, they persevere, driven by their passion for cocoa and their families' well-being.

Our numerous cocoa officers, stationed across the 70 cocoa districts in the country, work from dawn to dusk, supporting farmers with extension and other technical service to help increase productivity, improve yield and sustain production. Their female colleagues in the cocoa research laboratory; those who ensure that Ghana’s cocoa quality is not compromised and the many who play various roles in the country’s internal and external cocoa marketing and processing need to be applauded regularly. Specific mention must be made of female purchasing clerks (PCs) and various Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) led by females, and how they are working to ensure the industry’s growth.

Let us celebrate the likes of Allsave, an artisanal chocolate manufacturer from Accra, Madam Patricia Poku Diaby, an accomplished CEO of one of Ghana’s successful local cocoa processing companies located in Takoradi, and Afua, a cocoa trader from Accra - who have built thriving businesses through their astute business acumen and knowledge of the industry. Their successes have created employment opportunities for many others, contributing to the country's economic growth. Truly, the contributions of mothers must always be in the limelight and regularly appreciated.

In view of the role of mothers in the cocoa business, Ghana Cocoa Board has implemented various initiatives to recognize and provide opportunities for women in the cocoa sector. One key strategy is the establishment and support of women farmer cooperatives across the country. These cooperatives serve as platforms for women cocoa farmers to access training, resources, and market opportunities. By organizing themselves into cooperatives, these women leverage collective strength and knowledge-sharing to improve their productivity and income. The important and innovative roles played by female leaders in sustaining and growing these cooperatives cannot be overemphasized.

COCOBOD has also instituted a special award scheme for female farmers, “Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer Award,” awarded yearly on national, regional and district bases. During the 38th edition of the National Farmers’ Day held on 1st December 2023 at Tarkwa in the Western Region, Madam Adwo Sintim was adjudged the overall National Best Cocoa Farmer.

Thus, in 2023, women were awarded two of the four National Cocoa Award categories. These acknowledgements not only celebrate individual excellence but also showcase the capabilities and potential of women in driving innovation and productivity in cocoa farming. We need more of such recognition in every stage of the value chain.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, we take this opportunity to again acknowledge the invaluable contributions of mothers to Ghana’s success story. We recognize your tireless efforts, your firm commitment, and your relentless passion for the cocoa business. We honour your roles as farmers, extension officers, quality control officers, administrative staff, purchasing clerks, marketers, processors, and exporters, and we celebrate your achievements. Your love and dedication inspire us every day, and we are privileged to walk alongside you on this journey of growth, prosperity, and cocoa excellence.

Going forward, there is a need for us to continue to empower and support these remarkable mothers. Let us work towards addressing the challenges they face and provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Let us celebrate their achievements and honour their contributions, not just on Mother's Day but every day.

To the women in Ghana's cocoa value chain, we say thank you. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your passion. Thank you for being the unsung heroines of our nation's prosperity.

Happy Mother's Day!