Joseph Boahen Aidoo

Hon Joseph Boahen Aidoo, appointed Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board in March 2017, leverages over three decades of expertise in academia, policy formulation, legislation, and governance at local, national, and international levels. As the leader of Ghana's cocoa regulatory authority, his management focuses on three key goals: enhancing the welfare of cocoa farmers, boosting productivity through innovative programs, and increasing Ghana's share of the international cocoa and chocolate industry revenue by promoting local processing.

Under his leadership, Ghana achieved its highest-ever cocoa production of over One Million Metric Tonnes. Aidoo is internationally recognised for spearheading the Living Income Differential (LID) for cocoa sales from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, securing an additional $400 income per tonne for cocoa farmers. This accomplishment earned him national awards from both countries.

Hon Aidoo's impactful initiatives include nationwide Mass Pruning and Hand Pollination Programs, the distribution of motorised tools to replace manual labour on cocoa farms, and the revitalisation of Ghana's cocoa processing sector for increased local value addition. Before his role at Ghana Cocoa Board, he served three consecutive terms as a Member of Parliament and held a Minister of State position. Prior to his political career, Aidoo was a lecturer and researcher at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, contributing significantly to international research programs with organisations like the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and H. R. Wallingford. His extensive writings delve into Ghana's land tenure system and its cocoa industry.