The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo has emphasized the importance of local expertise and sustainable practices in the implementation of the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project.
Mr. Aidoo urged the Project Implementation team to tap into home-grown knowledge and skills, stating, “Utilizing local expertise is crucial for the sustainability of our cocoa industry.”
Mr. Aidoo was speaking at a meeting at Cocoa House in Accra, where the Project Implementation team met with management of COCOBOD to update them on the progress of implementation and the upcoming launch event.
Scheduled to launch on November 7, this initiative aims to support the transformation of Ghana’s cocoa sector through productivity improvement and climate resilience, while also boosting the production of cashew, coconut, and rubber.
The COCOBOD Chief Executive also called for collaboration to tackle ongoing challenges, especially the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD), which is threatening cocoa production.
The Project Coordinator, Mr. Wahab Suleman presented the various components of the project, stressing the need to strengthen COCOBOD’s capacity to implement policies that promote sustainable development across the cocoa sector.
"In strengthening COCOBOD, the project will ensure that all stakeholders are well-equipped to contribute to the growth of the cocoa industry," he explained. He added that this includes transitioning COCOBOD to a paperless operational system and implementing targeted training programmes for staff.
Additionally, he said the project will support farmers by introducing innovative agricultural practices and rehabilitating farms affected by the virulent CSSVD. He said attention will be placed on improving post-harvest management, adding value to cocoa products, and enhancing market access.
Three cocoa districts, Essam and Adabokrom in the Western North Region, and Asamankese in the Eastern Region, selected for their potential impact, have been identified as beneficiaries of the project.
A significant highlight from the meeting was the announcement of the establishment of a new, fully equipped laboratory for the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). This facility will enhance research capabilities, particularly in tackling issues like the CSSVD, which is a perennial threat to the cocoa sector.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from management to fully support the project’s implementation.
Meanwhile, the Tree Crop Diversification Project, an initiative of the government of Ghana and the World Bank, is set to be implemented over the next six years. With a total investment of $227.5 million, with 27.5 being a counterpart contribution of COCOBOD, the project which has COCOBOD and the Tree Crop Development Authority as joint implementing agents, is expected to mark a significant step forward for Ghana’s agricultural landscape, reducing the country’s over-reliance on cocoa.
Latest Stories
-
Mike Lynch estate and business partner owe HP Enterprise £700m, court rules
9 minutes -
Trump administration pulls US out of UNESCO again
19 minutes -
WAFCON 2024: Ghana’s Black Queens miss out on final after penalty loss to Morocco
21 minutes -
Coca-Cola will roll out cane sugar Coke in US after Trump push
35 minutes -
Tourism Ministry inaugurates advisory board
45 minutes -
Wife of Diogo Jota posts ‘forever’ tribute
59 minutes -
Abuakwa South MP urges GNAT to lead Ghana’s EdTech revolution with a digital drive
1 hour -
Ghana’s actual public debt overstated by GH¢138bn – Auditor General
1 hour -
Abuakwa South MP demands pact to future-proof Ghana’s education
2 hours -
Leadership is quiet preparation, serve with integrity – Chief of Staff urges youth
2 hours -
Mother confesses to drowning 4-year-old son in well to please lover
2 hours -
Patricia Appiagyei rejects replacing Afenyo-Markin on ECOWAS Parliament delegation
2 hours -
Kevin Taylor’s court appearance without arrest proof of judicial abuse under NDC – NPP MP
2 hours -
The inconvenient truth: Why Africa’s boardrooms must reset the boardroom governance clock
3 hours -
Abuakwa South MP issues appeal for 21st-century overhaul of education system
3 hours