Niche Confectionery Ghana Limited, an indigenous cocoa processor, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education to distribute ready-to-drink cocoa beverages to basic school children across the country.
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, signed the deal on behalf of the Ministry, while Edmund Poku, Chief Executive Officer of Niche Cocoa Industry Limited, the parent business of Niche confectionary, initialed for Niche.
Niche Confectionery, which is completely owned by Niche Cocoa, will distribute the cocoa beverage to 1.8 million primary school pupils in the six cocoa-growing regions under the terms of the agreement, which was inked last Friday in Accra. As a result of the agreement, the company will be able to provide supplies to 5.6 million pupils across the country.
Niche Confectionery is required to give at least one ready-to-drink cocoa beverage to primary school pupils as part of the government’s efforts to encourage cocoa consumption.
Despite being the world’s second-largest producer of the commodity, the country consumes only approximately 0.5 kilograms (kg) of cocoa.
Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Adutwum stated that the Ministry of Education continues to prioritize the nutrition of all school-aged children. “That is why I am delighted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Niche Confectionery Ghana Limited and the Ministry of Education.” According to the Education Minister, the MoU will allow Niche Confectionery Ghana Limited to provide chocolate beverages to primary school pupils in selected public schools around the country, with a preference for cocoa-growing communities.
“This collaboration will enable President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo realize his aim of ensuring that every child has access to a cocoa beverage,” he continued.
Gladys Amoah, the MD of Niche Confectionery, said in an interview that the company’s business model matched the President’s and the government’s objective of providing cocoa to Ghanaian children. Niche Confectionery’s parent firm, according to Ms Amoah, has a mission of expanding cocoa consumption by adding value to the bean and converting that value into consumer-ready products.
Ms Amoah stated that the company hopes to achieve this while also assisting the economy and key communities where cocoa was obtained.
Niche Confectionery was founded as a result of this, she added, with the express purpose of making consumer-ready items that could be consumed both at home and abroad. Ms Amoah stated that the company was also interested about using its activities to benefit cocoa farmers, and that the program would begin in cocoa-growing regions.
She described cocoa as a highly nutritious crop that is high in fiber, iron, and antioxidants, among other essential nutrients, and expressed hope that the agreement’s implementation would help to close the nutritional gaps that Ghanaian children face.