The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) says it is engaging the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness to establish small-scale cocoa processing plants in cocoa-growing communities across the country, before export.

Speaking at the association’s National Council Retreat, AGI leadership emphasised the need to increase local value addition in the cocoa sector.

“We are engaging the Trade Minister [Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare] to have cocoa processing plants to refine our beans before exporting,” AGI stated.

According to the association, refining cocoa beans locally will help Ghana capture more value within the supply chain, create jobs in cocoa-growing areas and reduce the export of raw beans.

The association noted that processing cocoa into semi-finished and finished products before export will strengthen Ghana’s industrial base and improve foreign exchange earnings.

The association added that a closer collaboration with the Trade Ministry will be key to creating the right policy environment and attracting investment into cocoa processing infrastructure.