ABSTRACT
The study examines the economic impact of Fair Trade on Kuapa Kokoo cooperatives in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study therefore reports outcomes from analysis using data set covering 200 cocoa farmers made up of 100 members and 100 non-members of Kuapa Kokoo cooperative. The study employed quantitative and qualitative research approaches and compared the sample means between the farmers who were affiliated with Fair Trade and those that were not affiliated with Fair Trade. The empirical evidence revealed that Fair Trade has achieved majority of its intended purposes, although on a comparatively modest scale relative to the contribution of cocoa to Ghana which is now an oil growing economy. The evidence showed that Fair Trade cocoa farmers do on the average receive higher productivity/yield, income and credit facilities.
Key Words: Fair Trade, Cocoa Farmers, Cooperatives, Ghana, Productivity, Oil