Cocoa is more than just a crop in Ghana; it’s a story of resilience, vision, and national pride. It’s the seed that helped build a nation.

The Beginning: One Man, One Pod, One Legacy

The story begins in the late 19th century with Tetteh Quarshie, a Ghanaian blacksmith who travelled to Fernando Po (now Bioko in Equatorial Guinea). In 1879, he returned home with a few cocoa pods, unknowingly bringing with him what would become the backbone of Ghana’s economy. He planted those first seeds in Mampong-Akwapim, near Accra, and shared them with local farmers. The trees thrived, and soon cocoa spread across the forest belt, from the Eastern Region to Ashanti and Brong Ahafo. Ghana’s fertile soil, consistent rainfall, and dedicated farmers did the rest.

By the early 1900s, Ghana (then the Gold Coast) had become one of the world’s top cocoa exporters, all from a handful of pods.

The Growth: Cocoa Becomes a National Treasure

By the 1930s, cocoa was more than a crop; it was a way of life. Entire communities were built around it. Farmers passed knowledge from generation to generation, and Ghana earned a reputation for producing the finest quality beans in the world. However, much of the profit from cocoa exports during the colonial era went overseas. Farmers sold their beans for low prices, while foreign companies handled the export and processing. That’s where Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, changed the game.

Nkrumah's vision to use Cocoa for soveriegnity

The Vision: Cocoa as a Tool for Freedom

When Ghana gained independence in 1957, Nkrumah understood that true independence wasn’t just political; it was economic. Cocoa became the tool to fund that vision. He saw cocoa as more than a product; it was a national asset. Under his leadership, Ghana established the Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board (now COCOBOD) to regulate the industry, protect farmers, and ensure fair pricing. This allowed the country to control its own cocoa trade instead of relying on foreign middlemen.

But Nkrumah didn’t stop there.

The Creation of the Ghana Cocoa Processing Company

In 1965, he founded the Ghana Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) in Tema. His goal was simple but revolutionary: “Let Ghana not only grow cocoa; let Ghana process it, brand it, and profit from it.” The CPC allowed Ghana to move up the value chain, producing cocoa butter, liquor, and powder, products that could be exported at higher value rather than just selling raw beans. It was a major step in industrialising Ghana’s agriculture sector and ensuring that cocoa profits benefited Ghanaians first.

The Legacy: From Past to Present

Today, cocoa still represents Ghana’s strength, creativity, and potential. From the farms of Ashanti to the factories of Tema, cocoa continues to employ millions and fuel innovation.

At Styyer, we see ourselves as part of that same legacy, continuing what Tetteh Quarshie started and what Nkrumah envisioned. Our focus on semi-processed cocoa products, such as cocoa butter, liquor, and powder, aligns with Ghana’s original mission: to build local value, create jobs, and make Ghana’s cocoa known not just for its origin but for its quality and integrity.

Our Reflection

The cocoa story isn’t just Ghana’s past; it’s still our present and our future.
From one man’s daring act to a nation’s foundation, cocoa remains a symbol of possibility, a reminder that with the right vision, even the smallest seed can change a continent.