Accra: Stakeholders in the country's cocoa sector have intensified preparations towards the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), as industry players met in Accra to discuss compliance measures ahead of the December 2026 deadline. The 4th EUDR Multi-stakeholder event aimed at deepening collaboration among stakeholders, strengthening awareness of the regulation, and promoting sustainable cocoa production practices ahead of the deadline for compliance.
According to Ghana Web, the EUDR requires exporters of commodities such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, wood, and beef to the European market to prove that their products are not linked to deforestation and are fully traceable to their source. The event brought together representatives from government institutions, cocoa buying companies, exporters, development partners, civil society organizations, and farmers to discuss the country's level of preparedness, implementation challenges, and the support needed to help producers comply with the regulation.
The EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, speaking at the event, described deforestation as a global challenge that threatens climate, livelihoods, and the future of cocoa production. He added that the EUDR was introduced to promote the consumption of deforestation-free products and reduce the impact of global trade on forest degradation. He stressed the importance of continued dialogue among stakeholders, saying cooperation between producer and consumer countries was necessary to build sustainable supply chains while protecting forests. Furthermore, he lauded efforts by COCOBOD and the Forestry Commission to establish a traceable and transparent cocoa supply chain, saying the country had made significant progress toward compliance.
Delivering a welcome address on behalf of COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Randy Abbey, the regulator's Deputy Director for Monitoring and Evaluation, Eric Amengor, stated that the relationship between the European Union and the cocoa sector has remained mutually beneficial over the years. He noted that cocoa remained a strategic national asset that supports millions of farmers and contributes significantly to the economy, making it important for the sector to maintain access to international markets while safeguarding forests. Furthermore, he said the country had already fully operationalized the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System despite the postponement of the regulation's implementation date.
The Forestry Commission also used the opportunity to launch a 2020 forest cover map for cocoa areas, aligned with UN FAO standards to meet EUDR requirements. Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, said the map would provide reliable data to help assess deforestation risks and ensure cocoa production aligns with national and international sustainability standards. Kotoko, who spoke on behalf of the CEO of Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, added that the EUDR was a major step in global efforts to fight deforestation and promote responsible sourcing. He said that the workshop was important as it would help stakeholders understand the regulation and strengthen compliance within the cocoa sector.