About CHED

Cocoa Health and Extension Division

A subsidiary of Ghana Cocoa Board, dedicated to ensuring sustainable cocoa production through innovative extension services and farmer education since 1945.

1945

Established

800K+

Farmers Supported

14

Regions Covered

9

Regional Offices

Our History

The Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of Ghana Cocoa Board, formerly CSSVD and Cocoa Services Division, has had a remarkable journey since its establishment in 1945.

The Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) was first reported in the 1930s in the Eastern Region and has since spread throughout the cocoa growing regions in the country. The government set up the Cocoa Division as a Unit under the then Department of Agriculture to control the CSSVD and cocoa pests.

In April 2014, the CSSVD-CU was upgraded to a Division and renamed the Cocoa Health and Extension Division with expanded mandates to serve Ghana's cocoa farmers better.

Key Milestones

1945

Cocoa Division established under Department of Agriculture

1964

Cocoa Division reconstituted after brief dissolution

1972

Renamed Cocoa Production Division under Ministry of Cocoa Affairs

1985

Renamed Cocoa Services Division (CSD) with three core functions

2001

CSSVD Control Unit and Seed Production Unit created

2010

Public Private Partnership in Cocoa Extension launched

2014

Upgraded to Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED)