The Women for Chocolate programme is a three-year initiative dedicated to strengthening cocoa-growing communities in Ghana by focusing on women’s empowerment, livelihoods, nutrition, and climate resilience. Through collaborative action, the project seeks to create thriving, self-sustaining communities capable of securing their futures while cultivating sustainable cocoa.
Cocoa farming communities in Asante Akim South District face cycles of low incomes, fragile ecosystems, and limited social services. Women, in particular, carry the weight of household care, food security, and unpaid labour, yet often lack access to financial and entrepreneurial opportunities. By centering women’s leadership in savings groups, enterprises, and nutrition, the project addresses inequalities while lifting entire households.
At the same time, declining soil fertility and climate change threaten cocoa productivity. Integrating regenerative farming practices ensures that community development goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship.
“The Women for Chocolate project is empowering women and men to make critical business decisions that help improve their socioeconomic well-being. The VSLAs have brought financial services close to the doorstep of farmers, enabling them to invest into productive ventures including farm maintenance and alternative income generation activities, as well as taking care of their household's education, nutrition and health needs”
Rikolto supports a value chain approach to development, involving private sector support and marketing expertise. We see the importance of a programme which is aligned and supported by private sector partners such as Maeve/Seattle Chocolate and Three Mountains Cocoa, ensuring farmers a ready market for their cocoa.
The Women for Chocolate programme covers five interrelated topics to strengthen cocoa communities in Ghana.
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Pictures: Rikolto
Rikolto leads the programme on the ground, bringing technical expertise and direct support to communities. Seattle Chocolate, with a strong commitment to ethical cocoa sourcing, co-finances the project along with the Belgium Development Cooperation (DGD). Three Mountains Cocoa (TMC), as the local supply chain partner, works closely with farmers to foster community engagement and encourage the adoption of regenerative practices.
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