GHANA – The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the not-for-profit organization, Solidaridad West Africa to implement initiatives geared at boosting the cocoa industry.
According to GNA, the two will offer technical support for the sector to enhance diversification, alongside cocoa intensification towards boosting the incomes of producers.
A statement from copied by GNA from COCOBOD stated that the MoU seeks to leverage the roles played by stakeholders and actors within the sector with an overall goal of supporting market transformation.
While Solidaridad supports sustainable development of farmers and production systems, COCOBOD would continue to provide technical and advisory support to the various cocoa programmes.
The private sector partner will also play a critical role in continual improvement of sustainable cocoa production through rehabilitation and intensification methods that helps reduce the current area under cultivation.
COCOBOD support programmes include ‘The Next Generation Cocoa Programme (MASO) funded by the MasterCard Foundation’ and the ‘Cocoa Rehabilitation and Intensification Programme (CORIP) Phase II’ funded by the Dutch government.
“The agreement is to enhance the relationship with Solidaridad at a time the Government of Ghana is pursuing strategic partnerships for cocoa sustainability actions in Ghana,” said a statement issued by COCOBOD.
“We are confident that under this arrangement, the cocoa sector can benefit enormously from Solidaridad’s expertise in stimulating the cocoa supply chain through innovations in good practices and sustainable landscapes management.”
A statement touching Solidaridad read: “We are determined to work with COCOBOD to pursue conscious programming on diversification alongside cocoa intensification, as this can boost the incomes of producers and build resilience for any potential farmgate price volatility.”
Revival of the cocoa industry IN Ghana, the world’s second largest producer of the commodity has attracted intervention from both the government and the country’s buying agency.
COCOBOD recently secured US$600 million credit facility from AfDB to revive the industry and increase national production as well.
Additionally, it opened a Shea Unit Office in Tamale, Ghana to serve as an operational secretariat to develop the industry.
