Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has reiterated COCOBOD’s vision to move from exporting raw beans to exporting value-added cocoa products for Ghana to be a beneficiary of the over-US$100billion global chocolate value chain.
Ghana is the second-largest producer of cocoa in the world. The West African country has been working with neighboring Ivory Coast to create better value from cocoa for their economies and farmers.
The global chocolate value chain, which is currently estimated at US$130billion, only brings some US$3billion in foreign exchange to Ghana as a result of the exportation of raw beans, according to COCOBOD.
Joseph Boahen Aidoo has also stressed Ghana’s resolve to ensure sustainability and fair benchmark values for farmers.
He said this when he hosted the new President of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Mr. Martin Short, when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit.
Mr. Short pledged a new approach by WCF to improve its relations with COCOBOD and in finding solutions to challenges in the industry. He presented a cheque on behalf of WCF for the 2021 Female Most Enterprising Cocoa Farmer.
The World Cocoa Foundation further presented a cheque for GHS250,000 for the Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer.