Ghana was able in the 2000s to more than double its production of cocoa in a sector that was reformed in the early 1980s without liberalizing markets, contrary to Washington Consensus prescriptions. The authors examine the factors that contributed Ghana’s success; the effectiveness of services that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) provides by retaining a portion of the producer revenues in the tradition of marketing boards, including their impact on effective supply of inputs and service; and Ghana’s role in maintaining quality of exports as a strategy to position itself in the global value chain.

Speakers

• Dr. Shashidhara Kolavalli, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
• Dr. Marcella Vigneri, Centre of Excellence for Development Impact and Learning (CEDIL)

Chair

• Prof Christopher Gilbert, John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Panelists

• Prof Gareth Austin, Cambridge University
• Prof Stephanie Barrientos, University of Manchester
• Dr. Kristy Leissle, University of Washington
• Mr. Colin Poulton, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)