“Without Us, There Is No Cocoa”: A Study Exploring the Aspirations and Livelihoods of Young Cocoa Farmers in Ghana

Cocoa is the cornerstone of Ghana’s economy and a lifeline that sustains the livelihood of thousands of households. Against the backdrop of Ghana’s young population, most of the workforce engaged in cocoa farming is aged. In light of the sustainability of cocoa, the engagement of young people is seen as the future of cocoa farming in Ghana. Therefore, the perceptions, lived experiences, and aspirations of young cocoa farmers are influencing the shape of the future direction of the sector. This study examined how Ghana’s younger generation of cocoa farmers perceives their role in the future of cocoa farming, and the key factors that influence their decision to pursue cocoa farming as a livelihood. The fieldwork of this study was conducted using a qualitative research design, drawing on ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews with cocoa farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 years from the Ashanti Region and Eastern Region in Ghana. First, the findings of this study revealed...Show moreCocoa is the cornerstone of Ghana’s economy and a lifeline that sustains the livelihood of thousands of households. Against the backdrop of Ghana’s young population, most of the workforce engaged in cocoa farming is aged. In light of the sustainability of cocoa, the engagement of young people is seen as the future of cocoa farming in Ghana. Therefore, the perceptions, lived experiences, and aspirations of young cocoa farmers are influencing the shape of the future direction of the sector. This study examined how Ghana’s younger generation of cocoa farmers perceives their role in the future of cocoa farming, and the key factors that influence their decision to pursue cocoa farming as a livelihood. The fieldwork of this study was conducted using a qualitative research design, drawing on ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews with cocoa farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 years from the Ashanti Region and Eastern Region in Ghana. First, the findings of this study revealed that the engagement of the young cocoa farmers participating in this research is motivated by intergenerational influences and the presence of successful role models in cocoa farming. Then, the study showed that the livelihood of young cocoa farmers is shaped by opportunities and vulnerabilities; the context of this livelihood is primarily enabled and constrained by financial capital. Furthermore, cocoa farmers are challenged by a storm of pressing constraints, primarily bound to financial capital, such as limited access to land, lack of farm inputs, and the rising effects of climate change. Lastly, these challenges threaten the sustainability and productivity of cocoa farming. This study revealed that the livelihoods of the young cocoa farmers are shaped by constrained agency and broader social structures. Furthermore, economic well-being emerges both as a key driver and a potential pitfall in the engagement in the cocoa farming enterprise. Altogether leading to the conclusion that it is essential to improve and promote the engagement of the younger generation to secure the future of cocoa in Ghana.Show less

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“Without Us, There Is No Cocoa”: A Study Exploring the Aspirations and Livelihoods of Young Cocoa Farmers in Ghana