COCOBOD steps up domestic cocoa consumption efforts
By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN, Accra
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has inaugurated the newly reconstituted nine-member National Committee for the Promotion of Cocoa Consumption (NCPCC).
The committee is expected to promote cocoa consumption locally and move the country’s current per capita consumption up from one kilogramme to an appreciable level within the shortest possible time.
The Committee is chaired by Stephen Fiifi Boafo, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board.
Other members of the committee are; Dr. Raphael Odoom, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Ben. Anane Nsiah, the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of General Service and Dr. George Asafo- Agyei, the Head, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).
The rest are Mrs. Ruth Maafo, the Director of Public Affairs at the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), Mrs. Afua Appiah-Kubi, the Deputy Research Manager (COCOBOD), Mr. Benjamin T. Larweh, the Principal Public Affairs Officer (COCOBOD) and Ms. Lois Boadu-Ayeboafo.
Mr Aidoo said that the committee will be guided by a developed strategy document for the generic promotion of cocoa consumption in the country.
He stated that they will develop programmes and activities that will create and increase national awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of Cocoa.
He added that the committee will also identify and implement specific programmes which will sustain a nationwide cocoa consumption drive.
The CEO indicated that despite the doubling of Ghana’s consumption rate over the past six years from 0.5kg to 1kg, ‘our best has not been enough’.
“We cannot be producing so much cocoa and remain low on the league table of consumption of chocolate and cocoa based products, expecting that countries elsewhere will consume for us” he stressed.
Mr Aidoo urged the new members of the committee to give off their best to help create the necessary awareness about the health and nutritional benefits of Cocoa and inculcate the habit of consumption in Ghanaians.
He encouraged Ghanaians to become ambassadors of this worthy cause by joining the consumption training to make Ghana a Cocoa – consumption nation.
Chairman of the Committee, Mr Boafo, on behalf of members thanked management for the confidence reposed in them.
He said that the committee sees the opportunity as a call to duty and a responsibility to make an impact.
He stated that there’s the need for a policy change and his team will require a strong commitment from all who matter as well as seek support and sponsorship for the various initiatives the committee will propose.
