The “Meso-Model” of Liberalization: A Salvation for Ghana’s Cocoa Industry?

Abstract

Ghana implemented bold economic reforms in 1983 and cocoa sector reforms in 1993 but refused to dismantle its cocoa marketing board (COCOBOD) as was recommended by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. It rather adopted a "meso-model" of partial liberalisation of the cocoa sector. This paper analyses the impact of the "meso-model" on Ghana's cocoa sector and the practices and opportunities for smallholder cocoa farmers. The theoretical framework for the study is the neo-structuralist paradigm. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyse the data. The key findings of the study are firstly, the output of cocoa farmers is a function of the overall environment created for production by COCOBOD and not only the price paid to them. Secondly, the "meso-model" Ghana adopted challenges the "one-size-fits-all" Washington Consensus development model because it enhanced cocoa farmers' output and income as well as Ghana's cocoa export and foreign revenue.