Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Cocoa Landscapes: HIA Management Board Advances Climate-Smart Interventions.

This story was jointly written by Louisa Sarfowaa Antwi/UNDP, Mathias Edetor/UNDP, and Salami Kenneth/Forestry Commission.

March 17, 2025

UNDPGhana_GCFRP — A group picture of Assin Nyankomase HIA Management Board

UNDPGhana/ Louisa Antwi

Ghana’s cocoa sector is transforming—one climate-smart initiative at a time. In the heart of cocoa-growing landscapes, a dynamic shift is taking place, where farmers, communities, and stakeholders are working together to build a more sustainable future. Cocoa farmers in Ghana are not just growing beans, they are growing a future where sustainability pays.

The Green Commodities Programme (GCP) is working with Hotspot Intervention Area (HIA) executives to enhance multi-stakeholder collaboration in cocoa-forest landscapes. Across six HIAs covering over 2 million hectares, farmers, cooperatives, civil society organizations (CSOs), government institutions, and cocoa companies are implementing climate-smart cocoa practices that generate carbon credit benefits under the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP).

To date, over USD 20 million in carbon payments—USD 4 million in the first cycle and USD 16 million in the second—have been disbursed to farmers and communities. These funds have contributed to various community development projects and direct farmer support, reinforcing environmentally sustainable practices in cocoa-growing areas.

At the 2025 first-quarter HIA Management Board (HMB) meeting of the Asunafo Asutifi HIA, facilitated by the SECO-UNDP Green Commodities Programme (GCP), the HIA Management Board Chair of Asunafo-Asutifi, Mr. Daniel Gyinayeh, highlighted the significant impact of these carbon payments. He noted that the funds have supported critical community projects and enhanced sustainable farming practices, making Asunafo Asutifi one of the highest-performing HIAs. He further emphasized that regular and effective HMB meetings are essential for strengthening collaboration among multiple stakeholders and ensuring continuous support for cocoa farmers and forest conservation initiatives.

Mr. Joseph N. Nkrumah, HIA Management Board Chair of Kakum HIA, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The success of climate-smart cocoa initiatives in our region is proof that collective action delivers tangible benefits. Farmers in Kakum are seeing the real impact of carbon payments, allowing them to invest in agroforestry and improve their livelihoods while conserving our forests.”

Similarly, Madam Gifty Nimako, a HIA Management Board member of Ahafo Ano HIA, underscored the role of multi-stakeholder collaboration, saying, “We are witnessing the transformative power of partnerships in the cocoa sector. Through these efforts, we are not only protecting our environment but also empowering our cocoa farmers with sustainable income sources.”

The board also expressed appreciation for the Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA) of the GCFRP, which has provided crucial financial resources to cocoa communities and cooperatives. This support is driving the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in cocoa forest landscapes and contributing to Ghana’s broader climate and sustainability goals.

Mr. Alhassan Amadu, HIA Management Board Secretary of Sefwi Wiawso HIA, highlighted the need for stronger financial and technical backing to scale up sustainability efforts. “Carbon payments have been a game-changer for cocoa farmers in Sefwi Wiawso. However, we must continue to provide technical training and financial incentives to ensure long-term sustainability and improved yields.”

The Green Commodities Programme (GCP III) in Ghana is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Ghana) in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and Ghana Cocoa Board. It aims to transform food and agricultural commodity systems through Effective Multi-Stakeholder Collaborative Action, ensuring a sustainable future for Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Madam Henrittah Kyerewaa, HIA Management Board Secretary of Atewa HIA, reiterated the importance of forest conservation in the cocoa value chain, saying, “Atewa is home to critical forest reserves, and we have seen firsthand how climate-smart agriculture can align with conservation. These collaborative efforts are proving that cocoa farming and forest protection can go hand in hand.”

Building on the foundation of the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP), GCP III will continue to strengthen multi-stakeholder platforms across the six HIAs, which include Asunafo–Asutifi, Kakum, Ahafo Ano, Sefwi Wiawso, Juaboso–Bia, and Atewa.

Madam Mary Arthur, HIA Management Board Member of Juaboso–Bia HIA, emphasized the importance of continuous support for cocoa communities: “Our farmers are at the heart of these interventions. By ensuring timely carbon payments and capacity-building initiatives, we can sustain climate-smart agriculture and secure the future of cocoa farming.”

The Project Coordinator of the Green Commodities Programme, Mathias Edetor, emphasized the importance of these partnerships in sustaining Ghana’s cocoa sector while protecting forests. “Through collaborative action, we are creating a cocoa landscape where farmers, communities, and businesses can thrive while ensuring environmental sustainability. The positive impact of carbon payments demonstrates the power of climate-smart agriculture, and we will continue to support HIAs to maximize these benefits by forging the necessary collaborations with stakeholders,” he stated.

With stronger collaboration, GCP III is not just supporting sustainable cocoa but is helping secure the future of Ghana’s forest landscapes and the livelihoods that depend on them.