This was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board and Mr. Isaac Gyamfi, Regional Director for Solidaridad West Africa.
“Our enhanced relationship with Solidaridad is happening at a time when the Government of Ghana is pursing strategic partnerships for cocoa sustainability actions in Ghana,” said Hon. Boahen Aidoo. “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,” he added.
On his part, Mr. Isaac Gyamfi expressed Solidaridad’s commitment to support the continual improvement of sustainable cocoa production systems in Ghana through rehabilitation and intensification approaches that seek to reduce the current area under cultivation. This, he said, will free land for other agricultural activities while maintaining the high profitability of the cocoa industry. “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,” he added.
COCOBOD is the national body responsible for policy and regulation of production, processing and marketing of Cocoa, whereas Solidaridad is an international Civil Society Organization with 50 years of global experience in facilitating the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound and profitable supply chains towards an inclusive economy.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, COCOBOD will continue to provide technical and advisory support to the various cocoa programmes managed by Solidaridad West Africa. These 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 with support from the cocoa industry companies and other financial inclusion partners.
The two partners will explore deeper working relationship as far as COCOBOD’s own programming is concerned. This would ensure consistency and alignment of programmes implemented by both institutions towards a vibrant and resilient cocoa economy of Ghana.
Learn more about Solidaridad programmes in West Africa.
Published by: Solidaridad West Africa