What problems caused Ghana’s cocoa production to decline during the 1970s?

During the 1970s, Ghana’s cocoa production experienced a sharp decline due to a combination of environmental, infrastructural, and economic challenges. The primary factors included:

• Environmental stressors: The industry was undermined by drought, bush fires, and the prevalence of aging and diseased trees.1
• Infrastructural and economic barriers: Farmers faced poor transport facilities and a lack of adequate price incentives.1
• Illicit trade: Widespread smuggling of cocoa beans across the country’s borders further reduced official production figures.1

These difficulties were compounded by broader economic instability during the decade, which eventually led to the abolition of the Cocoa Marketing Board in 1979 following allegations of corruption.1