The World’s largest supplier of Cocoa is the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. It is bordered by (among others) the Republic of Ghana, the World’s second greatest producer of cocoa beans. But Ghana’s position in the cocoa business is shaky, and the Country’s leaders are determined not to be knocked off their coveted number two spot, knowing very well that they can never catch up with their neighbours for pole position.
All well and good, but in order to maintain and strengthen their position, Ghana actually needs to plant more cocoa plantations. Although Ghana has signed a European V.P.A. (Voluntary Partnership Agreement) regarding timber extraction, the only way Ghana can increase cocoa plantations is by deforestation, which the U.S. C.I.A. cites as one of the major environmental problems facing the country.
So there is a dichotomy of interests here, as in so many other regions of the Tropics. In order for a country to create wealth and stability for its people it has no alternative but to increase the amount of land available for agriculture/plantations. This has a local, and indeed global, effect on climate control and ‘natural’ disasters, which harm the very people in the country where deforestation is carried out.
But who are we, in ‘The West’, the so-called ‘civilised’ world to stick our noses into Ghana’s business and say no to their plans. Practically all of us enjoy chocolate, in one form or another, and Ghana is very keen to supply as much of it as they possibly can! We all enjoy it when prices drop, and if greater production and a need for foreign dollars makes the product cheaper, then economies of scale of production have to be increased, ergo, increased production, equals larger plantation, equals less forest.
The best we can hope for is that the deforestation of Ghana’s small remaining areas of tropical forest are logged with all due care and attention to the local indigenous peoples and environment, and with an eye to re-planting other areas (a dream too far?). But this is unlikely, because Ghana’s deforestation is already out of control. Of an internationally agreed Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) of one-million cubic metres of timber, the latest figures show that 1.6 million cubic metres are being cut by the ‘formal’ sector, i.e. government approved/licensed loggers, and the ‘informal’ sector (illegal slash and grab chainsaw loggers) are taking a further 1.7 million cubic metres. That’s a whole lot of forest in a country that doesn’t have much left anyway!
So look out for the ethically produced brands of chocolate, stop thinking how good it is that Tesco (or whoever) have cut another 10p. per bar from the price of their own label chocolate (often at the cost of their suplliers!), and spare a thought for the beleagureed people, wildlife, and indeed the very trees themselves of Ghana. I have met several Ghanaians, and they are a warm, friendly, hospitable people. Give them a break.
