Reclaiming Cocoa + Director Q&A
In Ghana, cocoa is more than a crop – it’s the backbone of rural communities, the livelihood of millions, and a national treasure. Yet for over a century, the value of Ghana’s cocoa has been diverted up North, locked in a system shaped by colonial history and sustained by global inequities. "Reclaiming Cocoa" peels back the layers of this complex industry, taking viewers on a journey from the lush cocoa farms of Ghana to the polished chocolate shelves in Switzerland – whose famous chocolate consists mostly of Ghanaian beans. The film reveals the bitter human realities that hide behind the sweetness of almost every bar: In a poignant look at family life, we meet the Narteys, a multigenerational farming family whose children work the fields instead of going to school. As a Swiss chocolate giant boasts ethical practices, we go undercover to expose a system rife with exploitation and deception. Middlemen confess to mislabelling beans and manipulating scales, unveiling deep cracks in the traceability and sustainability promised by the industry. The story then turns to the past, tracing the surprising origins of Ghana's cocoa industry in the 19th century to Swiss missionaries. Besides preaching the gospel, the missionaries laid the cornerstones for a value chain that still shapes the industry today. From the mission’s archives in Basel to Ghana’s first cocoa farm planted by national hero Tetteh Quarshie, the documentary challenges historical narratives and explores a forgotten connection between the two countries. Providing possible solutions, the film portrays five inspiring Ghanaian start-ups who are charting a new path forward. Jeanne Donkoh, founder of Bioko Treats, started producing chocolate on her kitchen table and is now selling high-end products. Nana Aduna II, the founder of Ohene Cocoa, uses his farm as a platform to educate tourists on the history of cocoa. Tutuwa Ahwoi, founder of Nokware Skincare, is turning cocoa butter into cosmetics, using her grandmother's wisdom and formulas. Koa, a Swiss-Ghanaian start-up, is finding value in what was once considered waste – the cocoa pulp. Lastly, the film highlights Yayra Glover, an organic cocoa pioneer who built an alternative livelihood system for his farmers. These Ghanaian changemakers demonstrate that value addition can and should happen at home. "Reclaiming Cocoa" is a story of resilience, resistance, and hope. As it travels through the past, present, and future of Ghana’s cocoa industry, the film poses a powerful question: What if the real value of cocoa stayed in Ghana, to nourish the land and empower the people who grow it? The film will be followed by a Q+A discussion with director Philippe Stalder. This is an African Odysseys film presented by Black History Walks.DocumentaryPT1H53M152025-06-21Philippe Stalder
Black History Walks
Reclaiming Cocoa + Director Q&A"Reclaiming Cocoa + Director Q&A"Showtimes
June 21, 2:00 pm
Loading...