Sustainability Requirements Shouldn't Be A Ruse To Block Our Cocoa And Coffee – Oppong Nkrumah

Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has called on the European Union (EU) to work with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to prevent its proposed ethical and sustainable supply chain rules from becoming a burden for the local cocoa and coffee industry.According to Mr Oppong Nkrumah, though the new legislation is a way to drive better practices within the cocoa and coffee subsector, more importantly, the EU must work with ACP countries in achieving these sustainability standards else, it risks putting players within the value chain out of business.

He made the call when he chaired a two-day forum on the future of Ghanaian cocoa and coffee value chains in the face of this new EU legislation at the “Alliances in Ghana: Coffee and Chocolate at the table” in Brussels, Belgium organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Ghanaian Mission in Brussels last week.

“At a time where farmlands are coming under threats for competing and more rewarding economic activities, sustainability is a matter that requires some more attention.

The exchange of best practices and technical assistance is necessary so that we can have a win-win situation in all of this.

“Farmers deserve compensation for their hard work and should not be left out in any business or policy negotiation.

The EU Parliament will start negotiations on the final text with EU member states.Once approved, the law would force companies and producers to give assurances that products are deforestation-free and meet the EU’s sustainability standards.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said this could soon make Ghanaian cocoa and coffee unexportable to many international markets within the 27-nation bloc.