The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Ransford Abbey, and the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Simone Giger, have visited the KOA Impact facility at Achiase in the Eastern Region to explore the expansion of cocoa juice production.
Focus on Value Addition in Cocoa Sector
The visit focused on processing cocoa “sweatings” — a liquid from the cocoa fruit that is often wasted — into premium cocoa juice.
Officials say the initiative is part of efforts to increase value addition in Ghana’s cocoa industry, diversify income for farmers, and attract investment into cocoa processing.
Plans to Expand Production
During the visit, discussions centred on expanding the project to other cocoa-growing areas, increasing the range of cocoa-based products, and strengthening cooperation between Ghana and Switzerland.
The initiative is also expected to create an additional source of income for farmers beyond cocoa bean sales.
COCOBOD Boss Praises Initiative
Dr Abbey described the project as an important step in modernising the cocoa sector.
“This initiative is a game-changer for our farmers. It raises awareness of the full cocoa value chain and ensures that the sweat of the farmer translates into tangible wealth,” he said.
He added that expanding the model nationwide will help more farmers benefit from innovation.
“Scaling this across all cocoa-growing regions will be a priority to ensure that the benefits of innovation reach every corner of the country.”
Swiss Ambassador Commends Project
Ambassador Simone Giger praised the Achiase facility, describing it as a strong example of cooperation between Ghana and Switzerland.
She noted that such innovations position Ghana as a key player in sustainable cocoa processing for the global market.
Boost for Jobs and Skills
KOA Impact processes cocoa fruit using solar-powered technology to upcycle cocoa pulp.
The facility also creates jobs and helps build technical skills for young people in the Eastern Region.
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