The Chamber of Agribusiness has urged the government to take out some legislative instruments that set up the Ghana Cocoa board (Cocobod)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber, Anthony Morrison says players in the industry have been overburdened with several stringent processes and procedures.
The Chamber, therefore, wants the country to take a cue from Ivory Coast which is doing better in cocoa production.
“In Ghana, we have about 70% of farmers who are producing cocoa, mainly smaller holder farmers. What government has to do in terms of value addition is to take out some of the legislative instruments that set up Cocobod,” he said.
“We also need to look at how Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon are doing it. Indonesia has quite improved its value addition”, he pointed out.
The CEO also noted that “with every cocoa beans one needs to buy or transport, you need to get a license, you need to be registered as a cocoa bean supplier or processor. It takes a lot to go through the registration procedures.”
He added that ‘when it comes to value addition, we have to think about technology, appraising that technology as it will improve the standards.
“I think that the issue of value addition also comes with technology. Do we have, or do our farmers have the requisite skills and the technical ability to add value, and if...what value should be added,” he quizzed.
Mr. Morrison also noted that the desire for hot choco or milo by Ghanaians calls for replication of quality standard at the various farm gate factories.
“So people who want to do chocolate, add different values can go in for. So this has to be a kind of strategy Cocobod has to be looking for” he said.
He therefore called for support for the Cocoa Processing Company to increase the cocoa nerve and cocoa powder.
Latest Stories
-
There are greener pastures in Ghana-Prof. Owusu-Dabo optimistic of country’s potential
35 mins -
Myjoyonline Interview with Abubakar Tahiru: Guinness World Record Holder for ‘Most Trees Hugged In An Hour’
42 mins -
JoyNews’ Clinton Yeboah honoured at 2023 Int’l Sports Media Awards in Spain
1 hour -
14 PWDs selected for maiden Africa Health Collaborative Medicine Counter Assistant training
2 hours -
Manchester United open to offers for nearly all of squad
2 hours -
Price of LPG per kilogramme constitutes 22% of taxes – LPG Marketers Association
4 hours -
Nigeria appoint Finidi George as new Super Eagles boss
4 hours -
Elevating Ghana’s creative industry: A blueprint for competing with Nigeria and South Africa
6 hours -
Poor finishing a problem for Asante Kotoko throughout the season – Prosper Ogum
6 hours -
Samini teams up with Francis Osei for ‘Sticks N Locks’ EP
6 hours -
Government should resource record labels – Seven Xavier
6 hours -
I need majority in parliament to successfully complete my term – Akufo-Addo pleads
7 hours -
Next NDC government will not recognise illegal contracts signed by current administration – Sammy Gyamfi
7 hours -
Premier League clubs vote in favour of spending cap plans
7 hours -
Nigeria’s fuel crisis brings businesses to a halt
7 hours