About Us

For farmers by farmers

How it began

Wassa East Cocoa Cooperative—located in Daboase, the capital of Wassa East district in the Western region of Ghana—was initiated in 2009 by member societies who wanted to improve their productivity and household incomes, leveraging the advantages of cooperative societies, and become certified producers.

The union initially started with 20 communities with a total number of 880 members, producing 1,375 MT of cocoa beans. As of 2022, the cooperative has over 3,000 members, More than One-third of which are women, producing over 4,500 MT of cocoa beans.

Since its inception, we have spread across several districts, with over 57 primary societies, located in the 52 communities within the Wassa East district, meaning our outreach and impact is wider than ever before.

Our long-term business goals include becoming a top producer of cocoa beans in terms of quality and quantity, providing adequate extension services to members, establishing a commercial business alongside cocoa production, and becoming a Licensed Cocoa Buying Company.

Our mission & vision

Wassa East Cocoa Cooperative was made by farmers for farmers. As such, our raison d’etre is rooted in the idea of improving the lives of our cocoa farming community.

To improve the livelihoods of all cocoa farmers in Wassa East district.

We strive to achieve this through improving farmer productivity as well as leveraging the advantages of our cooperative network and our partnerships with local and international actors.

To better the lives of farmers and their families for generations to come.

Our core values

Gender equality

Wassa East Cocoa Cooperative collaborates with ABANTU, an organization that aims to strengthen the capacity of women to participate in decision-making at all levels, to influence policies from a gender perspective and to address inequalities and injustices in social relations. Through this partnership, the union provides women a safe space to bring forward any issues or challenges they are experiencing and collaborate on resolving them.

Child rights protection

We are in partnership with Child Rights International (CRI) to educate farmers on the need to provide education for their children.

Biodiversity conservation

We train our farmers in good agricultural practices and encourage them to improve and maintain their current farms rather than expanding. Wassa East Cocoa Cooperative has a stewardship committee who works with the Forestry Commission of Ghana to ensure that our cocoa does not contribute to deforestation.

Farmer welfare & wellbeing

Aside from providing farm development and agricultural inputs, we support our farmers in additional livelihood activities such as organic soap making and bee keeping. What is more, the premiums we receive allow for direct cash bonuses and community development projects.

Organic compost

The organic compost is a proposed enterprise line for the youth council of Wassa East Cocoa which is aimed at boosting productivity of Wassa East Cocoa, serving as an additional income stream for the youth and reducing the impact of climate change due to chemical emissions.