FAO continues to Support Côte D’ivoire and Ghana to Fight Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus
21 April 2026, Abidjan: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has expressed its commitment to support Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in tackling the threat of cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV). The viral disease continues to undermine cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production across West Africa, the world’s most important cocoa-growing region.
Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV) is an endemic pathogen that causes significant economic losses in the cocoa sector, which is a major source of income for millions of people in West Africa.
At a recent stakeholders’ workshop on the Regional Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Response Strategy, West African countries explored ways to strengthen a coordinated response. The workshop brought together about 60 participants from across the cocoa value chain, including government representatives, research institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, farmers’ groups, and private sector actors, to align a regional response strategy for CSSV.
FAO’s proven experience in managing plant pests and diseases
During the workshop, FAO’s transboundary plant pests and diseases team shared its experience in designing and implementing plant monitoring and early warning systems.
FAO’s Plant Pathologist, Maged Elkhaky, explained that effective monitoring and early warning systems play a central role in strengthening prevention, detection, surveillance and timely response to transboundary plant pests and diseases such as CSSV.
“These systems are critical for informed decision-making, coordinated action and long-term risk reduction across the cocoa value chain,” said Elkhaky.
The discussions reaffirmed FAO’s mandate to support Member Nations in building and strengthening national and regional capacities for plant health, particularly through integrated surveillance, data-driven early warning, and coordinated response mechanisms. These efforts are essential to safeguarding cocoa production, protecting farmers’ livelihoods, and enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the cocoa sector.
Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) was introduced into West Africa from South America during the nineteenth century. However, CSSVD was first observed in Ghana in 1936 and, later, reported in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo. Ends
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