Supply Chain Sustainability of Cocoa Beans in Ghana: A Case Study of Ghana Cocoa Board LTD (COCOBOD)

Ghana is still ranked among the top producers of cocoa in the world, just second to Ivory Coast. Cocoa continues to be the number one foreign earner and highest contributor to the country’s GDP. The government of Ghana is very committed to the sustainability of agriculture, especially the supply chain of cocoa. Regardless of the value of cocoa to the economy, Ghana must deal with future sustainability of the cocoa value chain. This study assessed the supply chain sustainability of the cocoa beans in Ghana with a specific focus on the Ghana Cocoa Board’s role in maintaining sustainability in the supply chain of cocoa. To effectively address the aim of this research, the study seeked and examined how sustainability practices drive performance of the cocoa value chain and established the roles of the Ghana Cocoa Board in supply chain sustainability. The case study approach was adopted to investigate the role of Ghana Cocoa Board in driving sustainable performance in the cocoa chain. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed in determining the sample size for the research. A total of 60 respondents were selected to participate in the quantitative data collection process through a well-structured questionnaire. The quantitative data collected were analysed using the SPSS, and Cronbach to ensure its validity and reliability. The results of this research showed a positive effect of supply chain improvement programs on the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environment and social), which support current theories of sustainable supply chain management as presented in the literature. Also, the study will contribute to the active involvement of The Ghana Cocoa Board in the various stages of the supply chain as recommended and further ensure quality decision making in the cocoa sector in promoting the Government’s agenda of becoming the number one largest producer of cocoa globally