Solidaridad Network’s Post

Crescence Virginie Mfegue Puzin, PhD, a #Policy Influencing Advisor for #cocoa at Solidaridad Europe, recently visited Ghana to engage with stakeholders within the cocoa value chain. This included cocoa #farmers, relevant government agencies, and the Solidaridad West Africa_Official team. The objective was to distil the primary concerns regarding policies and regulatory frameworks governing cocoa production. As part of her engagement, Virginie visited the Suhum KCC Cocoa Farmers’ Cooperative Union, where she interacted with representatives from seven other cocoa cooperatives nationwide. In her address, Virginie emphasised the importance of adopting a bottom-up approach in policy formulation. "As a policy influencing advisor, it is imperative that I directly glean from you, the farmers, the challenges you face, and how policies and various regulatory frameworks impact your production. The insights you share today on #pricing, #land tenure, and your perceptions and preparedness for The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will deepen my understanding of the issues and aid in shaping policies that truly reflect your exigent needs," she indicated.

A BIG STEP IN THE GHANA COCOA INDUSTRY The Apex body for cocoa Cooperatives in Ghana have been formed. The Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers And Marketing Association Limited will play a significant role to ensuring Cocoa Sustainability in Ghana cocoa Sector. Both International and Local partners are needed to move our cocoa sector forward.

🇬🇭 Phase one of Solidaridad's partnership with Mondelēz International’s #CocoaLife program in Ghana's Eastern Region is driving positive change in cocoa-farming communities. Over the course of Phase 1 of the programme, over 10K farmers were registered with 72% reporting an increase in cocoa income & 43% with increased income from non-cocoa sources. A combination of comprehensive training, support, and access to quality inputs are helping to build more sustainable cocoa supply chains. Download the report on Phase one of Cocoa Life in Ghana's Eastern Region here. https://lnkd.in/gasZCU8x **** #SustainableCocoa #CocoaFarming #Ghana #SmallScaleFarmers #Smallholder #SmallScaleAgriculture #Sustainability Solidaridad West Africa

🤲 🍫 In the cocoa industry, the weakest shoulders often bear the heaviest burdens. 🌱 Climate change and unpredictable weather affect crop yields, and price volatility -both in selling prices and input costs - makes cocoa farming increasingly difficult. 📢 Private companies must engage in inclusive, long-term contracts with farmers. These contracts should be asymmetrical, designed to favour farmers, acknowledging the economic and social vulnerabilities which make them less resilient to shocks and less capable of counteracting risks. 🌍🤝 Join us and over 100 civil society organisations and farmer cooperatives in calling on companies for a #JustCocoaIndustry.  👉 https://lnkd.in/gsiC7dY9 👈     A call to action from Oxfam International, the INKOTA-netzwerk and Mighty Earth. Featured in the video: Raphael Kwame Frimpong, Cocoa Programme Officer for Rikolto in Ghana and KOUAME Amani Alphonse, Cocoa Programme Coordinator for Rikolto in West Africa #FortheLoveofChocolate #SharetheRisks #SustainableCocoa #SustainablePurchasing #LivingIncome

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗮 at the 2025 World Cocoa Foundation 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴! Health is taking center stage at one of the world's biggest cocoa conferences! Why does this matter? Because the health of cocoa farmers is directly tied to the future of the entire supply chain. Think about it: 👉 Healthy farmers mean stronger communities and better cocoa production. 👉 Better cocoa production means a stable, sustainable supply chain. 👉 A sustainable supply chain secures livelihoods and meets global demand. 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #𝗪𝗖𝗙𝗣𝗠 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹𝗼, during the second day of the conference, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 as key strategies to tackle child labor, improve livelihoods, and secure the future of cocoa farming. For us at Elucid, this is a proud moment. The belief that investing in farmers’ health creates ripple effects far beyond individual well-being has always been central to our work, and the results speak for themselves. Curious about the results? Check out our 60 Decibels report from Ghana for an impact snapshot! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dYQd9XCr 𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹𝗼 👀 😉

Launching of another project for the African continent. 🍴FCI4Africa begins! An initiative focused on transforming African agriculture and fostering fair and sustainable trade 🥗 FCI4Africa aims to foster sustainable, fair, and healthy food systems in Africa by advancing free and fair trade, harmonising non-tariff measures, digitising food systems, and promoting knowledge sharing through open science and digital platforms. We focus on: ✅ 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 smallholder farmers and SMEs towards fair and sustainable trade. ✅ 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 food safety and trade compliance through digital solutions. ✅ 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 a just transition by evaluating certification schemes like organic, fair trade, and deforestation-free. ✅ 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 new opportunities for African farmers, processors, and traders both within Africa and in trade with the EU. Our journey officially begins next week with the kick-off meeting in Ibadan, Nigeria, where partners will come together to set the foundation for this impactful mission. Stay tuned for updates, stories, and insights as we, at reframe.food, work together to empower communities, protect ecosystems, and build a better future for African agriculture! #FCI4Africa #SustainableAgriculture #FairTrade #FoodInnovation #ResearchImpactEU #ReframeFood #RFF #reclaimtheplanet

Well appreciated for the initiative taken by UNDP to Enga province to plant coffee production. It may enhance the youths to plant more coffee trees in the uncultivated areas to boost the economy in the province. It also motivates the people of Enga to grow coffee trees and utilize the uncovered landscape. Moreover, such projects may create more opportunities for people to express their abilities in basic Agriculture. People are looking for opportunities every where in the country but Agriculture is the backbone to create and sustain your living. Coffee is one of the cash crop that devisify benefits into the households and also throughout the country. In addition, Provincial Government and other members of parliament from Enga province should encourage stakeholders to participate in Agricultural activities by providing effective awareness by the extension officers and Agricultural graduates from Enga province. Some of the Agricultural graduates from Enga are available with huge skills and knowledge to utilize but due to inadequate capital supports to begin in their own customary lands. Therefore, Government need to engage such experts to extend the such production for the betterment of Enga as well as for the country. Perhaps it is one of the options we would also implement peace and preserve our lands for creating Agricultural avenues in every parts of Enga province. #enga #coffee #Agriculture #production

Thanks to the European Union in Papua New Guinea for the funding support through the #integrated #landscapemanagement project which is enabling to enhance #community #resilience through diversification of their #livelihood options while also achieving #climatechange #mitigation and #conservation and #adaptation benefits in the Province.

Sunyani is celebrated as the #Cleanest_City in Ghana, a distinction largely due to the dedication of its traditional authorities. These leaders have made cleanliness and environmental sustainability top priorities, recognizing their crucial role in enhancing public health and overall quality of life. To uphold this standard, Sunyani’s traditional authorities regularly organize community cleanup exercises. These activities go beyond merely picking up litter; they serve to educate and engage the community. Residents collaborate to clean streets, remove trash, and participate in initiatives that promote hygiene and environmental awareness. This collective effort and community spirit are essential to Sunyani’s cleanliness. Additionally, traditional authorities in Sunyani work in partnership with local government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to implement sustainable waste management practices. This includes establishing efficient waste disposal systems, encouraging recycling, and maintaining public spaces. If traditional leaders across Ghana demonstrated similar commitment and organizational skills, the entire country could achieve comparable cleanliness. Such a unified approach would not only improve individual communities but also position Ghana as a leader in environmental sustainability in Africa. #CleanAirGhana #CleanAir4All

Flashback to Friday, March 8, 2024, Niji Oni & Co hosted a productive event focused on securing and building a more sustainable agricultural food chain in Nigeria. This wasn't your average industry gathering. We brought together a diverse group of stakeholders– farmers, producers, distributors, and retailers – to tackle a critical issue: building a more resilient and circular food system for Nigeria. The discussions were insightful and sparked a strong sense of collaboration. We explored key challenges threatening agricultural security, including climate change, pests, and diseases. But most importantly, we identified collaborative opportunities to ensure a stable food supply for all Nigerians, while minimizing waste. Niji Oni & Co is a strong advocate for a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. We believe that by working together, the stakeholders across the food chain can overcome these challenges and create a more secure future for everyone. We are dedicated to supporting initiatives that minimize waste and promote a circular economy within the food chain. This commitment contributes to a more sustainable food system, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for decarbonization.   Interested in building a more sustainable food future? Niji Oni & Co stands ready to assist stakeholders in navigating the legal aspects of this crucial transition.  Contact us at lawyers@nijioni.com to discuss how we can help you be part of the solution. #agriculture #foodsecurity #foodchain #collaboration #sustainability #circulareconomy #SDGs #ecofriendlylawyers #cleanenergy