Producer organisations, cocoa buyers, policymakers and partners from across Africa will gather at the Fairtrade Africa “Change Day 2026” forum to discuss issues pertaining to cocoa production on the continent.
A release copied to Ghana News Agency said the event, scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026, will mark the start of a broader business-to-business campaign, running through September.
“The event will bring farmers’ and workers’ voices directly into conversation with the companies that buy their cocoa, aimed at addressing the gap between pricing decisions and the realities of cocoa production.
“Change Day will make the case that sourcing on Fairtrade terms is not only a fairness issue but a supply chain resilience strategy, as an ageing farmer population, climate pressure and tightening due-diligence regulation such as the EU Deforestation Regulation reshape the economics of cocoa sourcing,” it said.
The gathering follows the publication of the new 2026 Fairtrade Living Income Reference Prices for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the countries that grow roughly 60 percent of the world’s cocoa.
“The reference prices give the industry, for the first time this year, a transparent, evidence-based benchmark for what buyers would need to pay to close the gap between current farm-gate pricing and a living income for the households growing their cocoa.
“For too long, market volatility has made it harder for farmers to plan for a stable, living income. The Fairtrade Living Income Reference Price gives the industry a clear benchmark for closing that gap,” stated Mr Paul Colditz, Commercial Director, Fairtrade Africa.
Fairtrade Africa is the independent, non-profit umbrella organisation representing close to 1.5 million farmers and workers in more than 700 Fairtrade-certified producer organisations across the continent.
It works through four regional networks spanning West, Southern, Eastern and Central Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa.
Its model rests on three linked mechanisms inlcuding the Fairtrade Minimum Price, which acts as a floor regardless of market swings.
The rest are the Fairtrade Premium, additional funds paid directly to producer organisations to invest as they choose in community projects, business growth, and social improvements; and the Living Income Reference Price.
GNA
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Social Afadzato Fertilisers
Farmers in Afadzato South receive fertilisers from DCE
By Edward Williams, GNA
Ve Golokuati (V/R), Aug. 25, GNA – Farmers in the Afadzato South District of the Volta region, have received fertilisers from the District Chief Executive (DCE) to boost crop production and enhance the livelihoods of farmers.
The fertilisers secured through an initiative of the DCE was distributed in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture to farmers from various farming communities across the district.
Mr Manfred Tawiah, the DCE said the intervention was expected to improve soil fertility, increase crop yields and reduce the financial burden on farmers associated with the purchase of essential agricultural inputs.
He said the critical role of agriculture in the socio-economic development of the district required the need to provide farmers with the necessary support to increase productivity.
Mr Tawiah noted that supporting farmers with essential inputs would contribute to increased food production.
He said it would also help improve household incomes, create economic opportunities and strengthen food security in the district.
Mr Tawiah reiterated his commitment to working with farmers and relevant stakeholders to promote agriculture as a major driver of economic development in the district.
Some beneficiary farmers expressed appreciation to the DCE and the President for the intervention, describing it as timely and important to their farming activities.
GNA