German Embassy official visits Nanketewa to observe cocoa traceability system
The Deputy Head of the German Embassy in Ghana, Sivine Jansen, has visited Nanketewa in Sunyani in the Bono Region to witness firsthand the progress of the world’s first nationwide cocoa traceability system.
Her visit comes at a pivotal moment, as Ghana strengthens its commitment to transparency, sustainability and global market readiness in an increasingly regulated cocoa trade environment.
The digital Ghana Cocoa Traceability System (GCTS) is a pioneering initiative reshaping the future of sustainable cocoa production.
Commitment
During the visit, Ms Jansen commended the strong commitment demonstrated by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and its partners in advancing sustainability within Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The GCTS is a key step toward ensuring that cocoa production is not only traceable but also aligned with global expectations for responsible and deforestation-free supply chains.
While acknowledging the impressive progress achieved, Ms Jansen emphasised the critical importance of the timely implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). She noted that delays in aligning systems and policies could create additional financial and operational pressures on COCOBOD and private-sector actors involved in the cocoa value chain.
The Project Coordinator for the GIZ-Sustainable Cocoa Programme, Claudia Maier, indicated the need to build on these systems to support subsequent systems required in the cocoa sector.
