The Wassa Amenfi Cocoa Landscape Initiative (WACLI), a collaborative effort led by Preferred by Nature and involving partners Ferrero Group, Rikolto Ghana, Solidaridad West Africa, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), recently convened a crucial multi-stakeholder workshop. This meeting, held in the Wassa Amenfi region, aimed to solidify a shared vision for the sustainable development of the area’s vital cocoa landscape. The workshop reviewed progress from 2025, identifying priority actions to enhance cocoa production, environmental stewardship, forest preservation, climate resilience, and livelihoods.
The gathering specifically revisited challenges identified in prior engagements, assessed any new emerging issues, and pinpointed the most critical concerns impacting the Wassa Amenfi landscape. Discussions focused on developing actionable strategies to combat declining cocoa yields and persistent agricultural poverty.
Context of the Wassa Amenfi Initiative
WACLI operates within a region heavily reliant on cocoa production. Historically, this has led to significant environmental pressures, including deforestation, and persistent socio-economic challenges such as farmer poverty. The initiative seeks to address these interconnected issues through a responsible sourcing model.
This model is supported by research and robust multi-stakeholder collaboration, aiming to provide tailored solutions to cocoa-growing communities. The WACLI initiative is notably funded by the Danida Green Business Partnerships of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Advancing Collective Action and Shared Vision
During the workshop, participants engaged in focused discussions on advancing inclusive dialogue and collective action. The meeting served as a platform to review the progress of the Wassa Amenfi Landscape Multi-Stakeholder Platform throughout 2025.
A key objective was to identify and prioritize initiatives that will collectively improve various aspects of the landscape. These include boosting cocoa production efficiency, implementing better environmental management practices, strengthening forest protection efforts, enhancing climate resilience, and fostering sustainable livelihoods for the communities involved.
Addressing Declining Cocoa Production and Poverty
Dr. Daniel Addo-Danso highlighted the workshop’s intent to revisit challenges and identify pressing concerns, particularly those related to declining cocoa production and agricultural poverty. The focus was on generating practical, actionable solutions.
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