The Reviving Hopes of Okuapeman Youth Foundation has launched the Cocoa Kente Initiative, a groundbreaking effort to honour the legacy of Tetteh Quashie and recognize the invaluable contributions of cocoa farmers in Ghana.

The initiative, led by Nana Akosua Addobea, Guantuahemea of Mampong-Akuapem and founder of the Foundation, seeks to celebrate cocoa farmers while educating the youth of Mampong-Akuapem to appreciate their rich cocoa heritage.

The project includes plans for youth engagement in replanting cocoa on large stretches of reclaimed lands previously destroyed by illegal mining across the country’s forest regions.

In addition to honouring Tetteh Quashie, the initiative aims to educate and inspire young people by organizing visits to cocoa farms within the Mampong-Akuapem area. The knowledge gained will be transferred to support cocoa farmers and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.

The Cocoa Kente Initiative stands as a testament to the enduring value of cocoa farming in Ghana and the pivotal role of education in preserving this heritage for future generations.

The initiative envisions the youth contributing their quota toward reviving interest in Ghana's two main heritages — cocoa and kente.

During a brief launch ceremony held at the BKQ Studio in Accra on Friday, November 15, 2024, the Guantuahemea of Mampong-Akuapem, Nana Akosua Addobea, highlighted the significant contributions of cocoa to the Ghanaian economy. She noted that the first cocoa plantation in Ghana—and indeed, the world—was established in Mampong-Akuapem.

Recounting the trajectory of the initiative, Nana Akosua Addobea paid glowing tribute to former President John Agyekum Kufuor and his government for their efforts to honour Tetteh Quashie. She commended them for establishing an additional monumental cocoa farm, the Jubilee Cocoa Farm, at Mampong-Akuapem.

This gesture, she stated, recognized the vital role played by Akuapem-Mampong as the cradle of Ghana's cocoa industry.

"Reviving Hopes of Okuapeman Youth Foundation is embarking on The Cocoa Kente drive to add a new impetus to Prez J. A. Kufuor's efforts", Nana Addobea added.

The Cocoa Kente Cloth will be an iconic addition to the vibrant Kente industry, symbolizing the royalty of cocoa production and its associated processes. It will be meticulously designed to honor the entire cocoa value chain, inspire youth participation in cocoa farming, and promote cocoa consumption as a staple food in Ghana.

Akuapem-Mampong, a town in the Akuapim North District of the Eastern Region of Ghana, often referred to as the cradle of Ghana's cocoa industry, boasts an illustrious history deeply intertwined with cocoa cultivation and processing.

The region is home to several significant cocoa-related establishments, including the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Museum, Jubilee Cocoa Farm, Tetteh Quarshie Organic Cocoa Production Line, and the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital. Recognizing its importance, the Ministry of Tourism designated the area as a National Tourism Destination in 2017.

Workshops will soon commence to train the youth, fostering interest in cocoa farming and processing. These workshops will focus on transforming cocoa into staple foods and edible products such as chocolate drinks, bars, bread, and other confections for local consumption and export.