Reclaiming Cocoa

«Reclaiming Cocoa» is an ongoing documentary project on the cocoa value chain between Ghana and Switzerland. The project is currently in its post-production phase and will be published in Spring 2025. The project’s teaser was awarded Best Documentary Short at the 2022 Royal Cocoa International Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria.

Synopsis

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?

Crew: A Collaborative Vision Across Continents

"Reclaiming Cocoa" is brought to life by an international team of storytellers, each bringing their unique perspectives and skills to the project. Produced and directed by Swiss investigative journalist Philippe Stalder, the film represents a deep dive into the complex world of cocoa production. Philippe’s commitment to investigate this unique value chain was matched by his partnership with Ghanaian Director of Photography Nana Yaw Asiedu Appenteng and his assistant Benjamin Addo, who ensured that the film captured the vivid, lived realities of cocoa farmers on the ground. 

Behind the scenes, Sabrina Rücker, a Berlin-based editor, pieced together hours of footage, crafting a seamless narrative that interweaves historical context, investigative journalism, and personal stories. The film’s voice is carried by Allysa Martinez, a Filipino-Mexican narrator whose sober, captivating tones guide viewers through the complexities of Ghana’s cocoa industry. Interspersed throughout the film are moments of poetic reflection, brought to life by Adelle A’asante, a UK-based Ghanaian griot, whose spoken word bars add a layer of lyrical depth, grounding the documentary in the oral traditions of West African storytelling.

The sonic experience is further enriched by the sounds of King Ketelby James, an Accra-based Swiss music producer who composed the film's score. His music, a blend of traditional Ghanaian rhythms and modern beats, underscores the narrative, evoking the spirit and pulse of the cocoa farms and bustling markets. To add a visual flourish, animations painted by Whitney Chinonye Ernest, a young Accra-based Nigerian artist, bring a touch of vibrant artistry, transforming complex ideas into accessible and engaging visuals.

This diverse and international crew exemplified the spirit of the documentary itself – building bridges, not walls. Through their collaboration, they have created a film that is as much a celebration of teamwork and cultural exchange as it is a call for economic justice. "Reclaiming Cocoa" stands as a testament to the power of diverse voices coming together to tell a story that is both global in its implications and deeply personal in its focus.