Ghanian President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced that Ghana will end the selling of raw materials to trade partners like Switzerland and other European nations. The announcement was made at the Federal Council of Switzerland, and it’s being looked at by many as a way for Africa to win on global trade deals.

According to Face 2 Face Africa, one of the most popular raw materials that Ghana is no longer exporting is cocoa beans. Ghana is the second-largest producer of cocoa after the Ivory Coast, and Switzerland buys its cocoa from both West African countries.

As for why this decision was made, President Akufo-Addo stated the following:

“Ghana is currently Switzerland’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, largely from the export of gold and cocoa to Switzerland and the import of chemical and pharmaceutical products…However, as I have stated on many occasions, Ghana no longer wants to be dependent on the production and export of raw materials, including cocoa beans. We intend to process more and more of our cocoa in our country with the aim of producing more chocolate ourselves.”

Both Ghana and the Ivory Coast previously halted the sale of cocoa to United States manufacturers, accusing companies like Hershey and Mars of avoiding paying a bonus that would help poor cocoa farmers. Well, now that Ghana is ending this trade deal, Switzerland, along with other nations, will start experiencing a massive shortage—which makes me very happy.

African countries putting their self-interest first is the only way the continent will get respect. So salute to President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Until Next Time…

(Sources)

Photo Credit: Cocoa Post

Ntreh, N. (2021, March 15). Why Ghana will no longer sell cocoa to Switzerland. Retrieved March 22, 2021, from https://face2faceafrica.com/article/why-ghana-will-no-longer-sell-cocoa-to-switzerland