«Reclaiming Cocoa» is an ongoing documentary project on the cocoa value chain between Ghana and Switzerland. It shines a light on Switzerland’s colonial history in Ghana and explores Ghana’s quest to reclaim the value of its national ressource. The project is currently in its post-production phase and should be published by the end of 2024. The project’s teaser was awarded Best Documentary Short at the 2022 Royal Cocoa International Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria.
Synopsis
65 years after gaining political independence, Ghana is in a vibrant phase of awakening and upheaval. The country is starting to free itself from the economic supply chains which it was once placed into by its former colonial masters.
"Reclaiming Cocoa" tells the story of a new generation of Ghanaians who no longer want to ship their most precious commodity to Europe, but reclaim the value of cocoa by using it to create own and innovative products. With their tireless hustle, visionary inventiveness and consistent optimism, they not only empower themselves, but also inspire other African economies to stop selling out their valuable resources.
A cinematic journey along the cocoa supply chain from Ghana to Switzerland explores what could cause the ambitious plan to fail – and who, nevertheless, steps up to make it work.
A Research Project conducted by Philippe Stalder & Mpho Mokgadi in August 2021
Directed by – Philippe Stalder
Director of Photography – Nana Yaw Asiedu Appenteng
Assistant Camera & Sound – Nicholas Amoah Awuah
Still Photography – Mpho Mokgadi
Fixer & Social Media – Lydia Aményaglo
Editor – Sabrina Rücker
Narration – Joy Tyson
Motion Design – Martin Riesen
Local Fixer – Derrick Ofosu