Trade Minister advises COCOBOD to increase earnings

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Trade and Industry, on Thursday advised Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to increase the country’s cocoa earnings through higher productivity and compliance with the minimum quality standards.

He said compliance with such quality standards is critical for the credibility and image of certified cocoa beans and products that leaves the shores of the country.

Mr Iddrisu was speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate a 220,000 square feet warehousing edifice put up by Amajaro Ghana Limited (AGL) in Tema to store cocoa on behalf of the Cocoa Marketing Company.

He called on cocoa producers not to compromise on meeting the minimum quality standards required by Ghana’s major trading partners.

Mr Iddrisu commended AGL for putting up the facility to ensure increased sale of sustainable and certified cocoa beans.

Mr Clement Kofi Humado, Minister of Food and Agriculture, reiterated the call on the Quality Control Division of COCOBOD to ensure that quality standards of the cocoa supply chain are developed and traced.

Mr Rahul Gopinath, who doubles as the Managing Director of AGL and Head of Africa for the Amajaro Group, described the newly inaugurated warehouse as a leapfrog of the Company’s investment in Ghana.

Mr Anthony Ward, Co-Founder of the Amajaro Group, praised the country for her democratic credentials, political stability and respect for the rule of law which made it easier for businesses to thrive.

Amajaro was founded in 1998 in London, UK and has been operating in Ghana since 2000.

It is considered a major player in the cocoa industry with a growing portfolio of international chocolate makers as partners.

Source: GNA