The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama and former President John Agyekum Kufuor have jointly unveiled a plaque to commemorate the 5th anniversary celebrations of Cargill Ghana Limited’s operations in Ghana.

Under the patronage of Ministers of States, Chief Executive of Free Zones Board, Chief Executive of Cocobod as well as chiefs and people of Kpone Katamanso, the event was also to unveil the company’s flagship programme, the Cargill Cocoa Promise.

Briefing the media, the Managing Director of Cargill, Mr. Kojo Amoo Gottfried explained the Cargill Cocoa Promise as the company’s commitment to grow and sustain cocoa farming communities, while meeting the growing global demand for sustainable cocoa beans.

“It builds on what we have been doing in Ghana since 2007 and the activities we have been developing over the years to support and give back to the communities we work in.”

“The Cargill Cocoa Promise is focused on making a difference in three key areas; training cocoa farmers, supporting cocoa farming communities and investing in the long-term sustainable production of cocoa. At the same time it reinforces our desire to continue to engage with our customers worldwide about the challenges of sustainable cocoa, to encourage participation and partnerships, and to change purchasing decisions that can help strengthen the cocoa supply chain.

“By working together with farming communities, customers, local governments and NGOs, we believe we can help strengthen cocoa production and enable farmers, and their communities to be successful for many generations to come. This is particularly crucial given the ever-growing global demand for cocoa and chocolate products.

“At the same time, increased local revenues from sustainable cocoa production can contribute to the economic development of cocoa communities. And today, we are working in Central, Western, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions with 22,000 cocoa farmers on diverse projects to improve their yields and livelihoods.”, Mr. Kojo Amoo Gottfried concluded.

The Business Unit Leader of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate, Jos de Loor added: “Ghana’s challenges are diverse and unique. As one of the world’s largest producers of cocoa, the health of the region’s cocoa industry is significant to both the local economy and to global supplies. We are working on the local complexities and challenges and we are committed to working collaboratively to develop and implement solutions for the years to come”.

President John Mahama congratulated Cargill Ghana and its management for their 5th anniversary and commended the company for investing in Ghana and bettering the lives of the citizenry over the past 5 years.