The Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADB) has been adjudged the Best Cocoa Financing Institution at the maiden Ghana Cocoa Awards (GCA). The award was in recognition of the Bank’s contribution as a pioneer in financing the cocoa sector and also taking banking closer to Cocoa Farmers across the country.   At the awards held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, thirty-six institutions and individuals were recognized and celebrated for their contribution to the cocoa industry. The Deputy Managing Director of ADB, Alhassan Yakubu-Tali said the award was a demonstration of the Bank’s continuous support to the cocoa sector and will continue to grant cocoa farmers with loan facilities to help them increase production and ensure high-quality yields.  “We dedicate this award to our hardworking Cocoa Farmers and Customers within the Cocoa Value Chain who have done business with us for the past decades,” he said. He disclosed that the Bank will continue to develop products and services aimed at increasing productivity and improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers across the country. “ADB will continue to finance cocoa, by providing financial assistance to Licensed Buying Companies (LBC) engaged in the purchase of the cash crop and that will also translate into support for farmers.” Mr Yakubu-Tali lauded the organizers of the GCA, saying the awards scheme was relevant in recognizing the hardworking actors and heroes of Ghana’s economic backbone and appreciating their contribution to the economy and national development.  This recognition comes after the Bank won three other industry awards namely the Premium Quality Ghanaian Bank at the Ghana Business Quality and Pride Awards, the Outstanding Contribution to the Economy Award at the Ghana Business Awards and was also ranked 96th at the 18th edition of the Ghana Club 100 awards.