Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world’s two largest cocoa producers, reaffirmed their commitment on Monday to strengthening cooperation in support of cocoa farmers, as they seek to build a fairer, more sustainable and more resilient cocoa economy.

Meeting at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire for the 7th Steering Committee session of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative, senior officials from both countries pledged to maintain a unified stance on key issues affecting the sector.

The meeting brought together Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Crops, Bruno Nabagné Koné, Ghana’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, and leading representatives of the cocoa industry, including Côte d’Ivoire’s Coffee-Cocoa Council and the Ghana Cocoa Board.

In his opening remarks, Koné highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership between the two West African nations, which together account for nearly two-thirds of global cocoa production. He said their dominant position in the market carries a special responsibility toward cocoa farmers.

Improving producers’ incomes was at the center of discussions. Koné stressed the need to harmonize pricing policies and marketing calendars to ensure greater economic fairness and enable farmers to earn a decent living from their work.

The minister also called for stronger collaboration in tackling major threats facing the sector, including the cocoa swollen shoot disease and the growing impact of climate change. He advocated greater pooling of research resources, financing and scientific expertise to strengthen the resilience of cocoa production.

The meeting comes ahead of a high-level summit between the presidents of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, where both countries are expected to outline the future direction of the regional cocoa economy and reinforce their joint efforts to secure better conditions for producers.