ISCO Learning Network II Fighting Swollen Shoot Disease: Where do we stand?

“Fighting Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease: Where do we stand?”

Thursday, March 19th, 2026, I 13:00 – 14:30 CET

On behalf of the ISCO Learning Network, GISCO is organising the webinar on “Fighting Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease: Where do we stand?”.

The impact of the plant disease Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) on cocoa production in West Africa is becoming increasingly significant. For years, scientists, politicians and companies have warned consequences of the disease for the cocoa sector. The issue has repeatedly been discussed at international forums and sector events, underlining the urgency of coordinating action.

This webinar will provide insights into the current situation and ongoing efforts to combat CSSVD from political, scientific, and practical perspectives:

• Political perspective: Alex Assanvo – Executive Director, Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGHCI)
• Scientific perspective: Dr. George Ameyaw – Head of Plant Pathology, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG)
• Practical Implementation: Dr. Françoise Gogbé – Phytopathologist, Côte d’Ivoire‘ National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA)
• Practical Implementation: Leticia Yankey – Director Cocoa Mmaa Cooperative in Ghana

What is the Learning Network

The ISCOs are the National Initiatives on Sustainable Cocoa in Europe that bring together governments, the private sector, civil society and research to advance sustainability, improve farmers‘ livelihoods, and address shared challenges in the cocoa sector. The Learning Network has been created to foster more strategic and collaborative learning across the ISCO community. It builds on experience of the former working groups and provides a new framework for joint exchange through regular meetings, events and the development of shared knowledge products.