First Global Cocoa Farmers Conference (GCFC1) Accra Report

Transcription

1 First Global Cocoa Farmers Conference (GCFC1) Accra Report LOCATION 26,27 September 2018 Alisa Hotel, Alisa Hotel, 21 Dr. Isert Road North Ridge, Accra, Ghana BUILDING BRIDGES

2 FIRST GLOBAL COCOA FARMERS CONFERENCE (GCFC1) ACCRA REPORT BUILDING BRIDGES Executive Summary 1 Meeting objective The Global Cocoa Farmers Conference (GCFC) is a Cocoa Farmers driven cocoa sector annual event organize by Farmgate Cocoa Alliance (FCA) and World Cocoa Farmers Organization (WCFO) to bring divers pertinent stakeholders in the cocoa sector together to seek long-term solutions to solve farmers and sustainability challenges. The GCFC is also a platform to be use to introduce Bottom-Up Cocoa Sector initiatives, build bridges between stakeholders, and to emphasize the need for stakeholders to work together with a communal agenda to overcome sector challenges in the areas of farmers, sustainability, climate change and deforestation. 2 Participants The GCFC1 brought together over 400 participants across the globe including governments, farmers, traders, non-governmental organizations and chocolate companies like, chocolate companies, cocoa bean traders such as Barry Callebaut, Cargill, IDH, WCF, Solidaridard, Conservation Alliance, trade unions, civil society, certification bodies and the media. 3 Key outputs / results All stakeholders present emphasized on the need for a transparent value chain that is inclusive, balanced and sustainable through defining stakeholders roles and responsibilities leading to accountability. These will secure a future that benefits people, business and planet. 4 Follow up The GCFC1 ends with a Declaration which contains the outcome and purpose of the conference. The Declaration will guide farmers on how to play their role in the cocoa value chain and solve their day to day problems so they can become independent cocoa business men and women. 5 Meeting organizers / facilitators The GCFC1 was sponsored by Barry Callebaut, Cargill, IDH and PelGar International. 1

3 Introduction 1 Context The two day conference afforded the opportunity for farmers across the world and stakeholders of the value chain to deliberate and highlight the need to develop a balanced and sustainable cocoa sector that results in mutual benefits for all stakeholders. The GCFC1 emphasised on empowering and strengthening farmers and farm workers to secure a vibrant and vigorous cocoa farming environment which will enable farmers to manage a profitable and sustainable farming business. The conference was sponsored by the following partners, Barry Callebaut, Cargill Cocoa, Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and PelGar International. We also will like to thank Hon. Mr. Abraham Adusei, Global President of WCFO for sponsoring 150 cocoa farmers from across Ghana, to attend this historic cocoa sector conference. The Global Cocoa Farmers Conference gathered participants, which represented key stakeholders in the global cocoa supply chain and this include: Ghana Government represented by COCOBOD Dutch Ambassador to Ghana Major Chocolate Companies and International Bean Traders Cocoa Farmers & Farm Workers Workers Union Certification Organizations Civil Society Organization 2 Main objectives The GCFC1 aimed to: establishing dialogue between cocoa farmers and other stakeholders in the value chain; recognition of cocoa farmers as an important stakeholders; introduction of Bottom-Up approach; introduction of inclusive solutions to reform from bottom to top in the sector; defining of stakeholder role and responsibilities (paving the way for transparency and accountability). 2

4 Program Structure 3

5 GCFC1 PROGRAMME OUTLINE Flow of the Conference The conference began with opening speeches from the Global president of WCFO, the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, the Managing Director of the Quality Control Limited of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), and the 2012 National Best Cocoa Farmer from Ghana. In his Opening speech Mr Adusei president of WCFO called on stakeholders of the cocoa value chain to build the bridge that will pave the way in realizing an inclusive cocoa sector where each stakeholder plays their deserved role and that guarantee long term sustainability. This was reiterated by H. E Ron Strikker, Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, who contributed by saying that trade is a force for inclusive and sustainable development with respect for planet and people. The following methodological approach was used to fulfil the objectives of the GCFC1. Step 1 There were set of presentations and interactive panel discussions from divers stakeholders on the topics below: 4

6 future of cocoa farming as a business, particularly (small-scale) farming; the need to define stakeholders role and responsibilities; how can farmers contribute to address gender inequality in cocoa farming; farmers role in combating climate change and deforestation; securing the next generation cocoa entrepreneurs; direct access to market for cocoa farmers (smallholder). Step 2 Open discussions were held after each presentation. During the open discussions the stakeholders had the opportunity to ask questions about the presentation. Recommendations were also provided by the stakeholders during the opening of the conference. DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS PRESENT AT GCFC1 Conference Key Caption Points by Key Speakers; Together, we build the bridge that pave the way in realizing an inclusive cocoa sector where each stakeholder plays their deserved role and that guarantee long term sustainability. Mr. Abraham Adusei, Global President at World Cocoa Farmers Organization (WCFO). Trade is a force for inclusive and sustainable development with respect for planet and people. H. E. Mr. Ron Strikker Dutch Ambassador, Ghana. Most cocoa trees had been in existence for over 30 years, contributing to low yields. Special representative of the COCOBOD CEO, Mr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, Managing Director of Quality Control Limited of COCOBOD. The perceived weak position of the farmers in the cocoa value chain cannot continue to exist. Mr. Edwin Afari, WCF National Coordinator and M&E Manager, Ghana. A cocoa sector, with defined stakeholder s role and responsibilities is key factor to guarantee effective implementation of sector initiatives, so relevant stakeholders will have the chance to play their respective role and contribute to build a strong and progressive cocoa sector. Practicalizing cocoa farming business, is vital to unluck farmers potential. This will enhance cocoa farming communities, reduce poverty, give children the chance to acquire their basic rights to education, improve living standards, secure long term cocoa sustainability and protect our environment. Mr. Warren Sako, Secretary General at WCFO and CEO at Farmgate Cocoa Alliance. 5

7 Key recommendations from the GCFC1 Participants which include the private and public sectors recognized that there is the need for cocoa farmers voice to be part in all decision making processes as a legitimate stakeholder. They also expressed satisfaction about the significant progress made by farmers themselves to come together. Farmers recognized that the solution to sustainability is fair pricing for the Cocoa farmer, and the inclusion of the farmer in decision making to complete the cocoa value chain. All participants who attended the two day conference unanimously agreed on the need for WCFO to continue organizing GCFC on a yearly basis. All stakeholders present at the conference affirm their support for WCFO and the need for other stakeholders to do same. A call was also made by all participants for WCFO to include different language translators in the next GCFC. SOME OF THE SPEAKERS, PRESENTERS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS SESSIONS AT GCFC1 6

8 Conclusion 1 Evaluation of the GCFC1 As anticipated through GCFC1, cocoa farmers and farm workers farmers from across the globe where able to present their perspectives in regards to their profession and cocoa sustainability at large to the rest of other stakeholders in the value chain. Farmers who are the organizers of the conference highlighted the need for effective professionalization of cocoa farming entrepreneurship particularly among small-scale farmers. All stakeholders present emphasized on the need for a transparent value chain in other to define stakeholders roles and responsibilities leading to accountability. To secure a future that benefits farmers and consumers, there was the need for an inclusive, balanced and sustainable cocoa value chain. 2 Communique A communique was issued by Ghana Best Cocoa Farmers Association (The National and Regional Cocoa Award winners of Ghana) to reaffirm their commitment to WCFO and call on farmers, governments and all relevant stakeholders to collaborate with WCFO on policy, trade, sustainability and environment issues as they (WCFO) represents cocoa farmers across the globe. GHANA BEST COCOA FARMERS PRESENTING THEIR COMMUNIQUE 7

9 3 Declaration Mr Warren Sako, the General Secretary at WCFO and CEO at FCA convey his gratitude to all participants and expressed his satisfaction with the interactive nature of the panel discussions. He concluded with reading the GCFC1 conference declaration. The Declaration can be seen on the website of both the World Cocoa Farmers Organization and Farmgate Cocoa Alliance. We look forward to welcoming you at the second edition of the Global Cocoa Farmers Conference (GCFC2) in You also have the opportunity to become one of our sponsor, exhibitor, participant and as a partner to this important cocoa sector conference. For more information on this kindly contact us through the below contacts: GROUP PICTURE OF PART OF THE PARTICIPANTS Contact Savannahweg AW UTRECHT Phone: +31(0) Fax: +31(0) , info@cocoa-alliance.org Website: globalcocoafarmersconference.cocoa-alliance.org 8