Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is collaborating with some Fellows of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) to conduct research into components of cocoa which can aid in the management of some life-threatening infections and metabolic diseases globally.
The research forms part of COCOBOD’s programme to increase the usage of cocoa beyond the confectionery and cosmetic industries, and thereby expand the global market for cocoa.
In the maiden meeting between the management of COCOBOD, the President of GAAS and the Fellows involved in the research, acknowledged the need to conduct more studies into the health properties of cocoa.
The President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Emeritus Prof. Samuel Kofi Sefa-Dedeh strongly welcomed the collaboration.
The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, explained the need to support every claim about the health properties of cocoa with empirical facts, saying, anecdotal reports alone are not sufficient.
He emphasized that "you cannot just go out there to say that cocoa has health and nutritional benefits when there's no solid scientific basis or backing for what you are saying. However, if your statement is backed by robust scientific proof, then the world will also buy into it”.
He added that COCOBOD deems it important to establish a lasting collaborative relationship with the national science community.
“We have to support the science community to delve deeper into the nutritional and health benefits of cocoa and then use the proven benefits to promote the consumption of cocoa, not only for Ghana or the sub-region but for the global community at large.”
He said if cocoa is seen as not only an ingredient in the confectionery and cosmetic industries, but also appreciated for its broader nutritional and health properties in particular, it can aid in the management of some life-threatening infections and metabolic diseases.
“I'm very happy and so excited that this novel collaborative approach is being promoted and driven here in Ghana by our own scientists. We are glad to be part of it.”
Mr. Aidoo gave the assurance that COCOBOD will play its role to ensure that the collaboration yields adequate results which can withstand scientific scrutiny.
The President of GAAS, Emeritus Prof. Samuel Kofi Sefa-Dedeh, on his part, strongly agreed with the COCOBDO CEO’s statement on the need to have a well-grounded collaboration between industry and the science community to enable the conduct of research and development (R&D) to drive innovation.
Such collaboration, he added, is important to finding solutions to challenges which hamper our progress towards industrialisation and the expansion of Ghana’s economy.
He further indicated that the partners should develop timelines and policies to guide the execution of the project.
Latest Stories
-
Joy Prime to premiere new relationship show ‘Let’s Talk’
9 minutes -
Scientists investigate how flooding release toxic chemicals on Galamsey lands
12 minutes -
Eight ‘sing-alikes’ of Daddy Lumba mistaken for the original
18 minutes -
Akwatia by-election slated for September 2
31 minutes -
Pay contractors with bonds to curb inflation – Joe Jackson advises government
34 minutes -
Heartbreak for KUHIS as Osei Tutu’s riddle answer sends Kumaca to Zonal Final
37 minutes -
BOST embraces renewable future with major solar energy drive
46 minutes -
New Accra–Kumasi expressway will be a completely new road not mere upgrade of existing N6 route — Agbodza
53 minutes -
Cabinet has approved reintroduction of road tolls with modernised collection – Kwame Agbodza
1 hour -
Heal KATH project stalls for 3 months over simmering conflict between hospital CEO and project committee
2 hours -
UGMC announces rollout of hair transplant in Ghana this year
2 hours -
Help comes to market women and farmers as CSJ tackles credit barriers, protection gaps at upcoming summit
2 hours -
50-year-old woman dies after falling into abandoned mining pit at Mpasatia
2 hours -
Accra Bar Show 2025 launched to celebrate Ghana’s hospitality and drinks industry
2 hours -
Mahama directs Road Ministry to prioritise roads under the Big Push initiative
2 hours