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The 3rd annual edition of Ghana Cocoa Awards (GCA) will celebrate the country’s achievement of a new cocoa beans production record, while highlighting industry’s contribution.
Ghana Cocoa Board, the industry regulator, announced early this month the attainment of an historic 1.04 million tonnes in cocoa beans purchase by the close of the 2020/21 crop year, breaking a decade old record. This feat demonstrates the cocoa sector’s resilience despite the challenges of COVID-19, climate change and CSSV disease.
“Like the rest of the global economy, the last few years have been quite challenging for the cocoa industry – particularly for actors at the production end. That notwithstanding, here in Ghana we have seen the regulator, Cocobod, show bold leadership with pragmatic policies and programmes as industry and our gallant cocoa farmers rallied behind,” Kojo Hayford, Executive Director of Ghana Cocoa Awards indicated.
“The result of that collective energy is what has culminated in this historic feat, with Ghana crossing the one-million-tonnes mark in cocoa production for the first time in 10 years – a feat definitely worth celebrating,” he added.
The theme for Ghana Cocoa Awards 2021 is ‘Celebrating Ghana’s Historic Cocoa Output – A Golden Opportunity for the Local Value Addition Agenda’.
“Speculations are that the increasing production in West Africa may glut the market. Naturally, that would be a challenge. But from our viewpoint, it is a golden opportunity to open access to an affordable supply of cocoa beans, by way of a progressive policy, to feed the burgeoning Ghanaian cocoa value-addition industry,” Mr. Kojo Hayford, said.
He emphasised: “We believe this will lead to the creation of new jobs and wealth opportunities for thousands more Ghanaians; improve domestic consumption of cocoa and cocoa products; and as well strengthen the national economy”.
There are over 30 competitive and honorary awards to recognise excellence at the various stages in the cocoa value chain: including processing and value addition, internal marketing, finance and insurance, innovation and technology, sustainability and leadership.
The 3rd annual GCA Gala Night returns to Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City-Accra on November 12, 2021. The event, powered by Cocoa Post, is where quintessential Ghanaian traditional costumes meet the black-tie over tantalising cuisine, evergreen Highlife tunes and great entertainment while honouring the True Heroes Behind Ghana’s Economic Backbone.
The Ghana Cocoa Awards are the cocoa industry’s biggest and most prestigious gathering for networking and celebrating excellence. It is an independent industry awards scheme, designed to spotlight and celebrate innovation, achievement and excellence while offering an unparalleled platform for networking among players in the Ghana cocoa value chain. Meanwhile, nominations are open till October 15, 2021 for submission of entries on the event portal www.GhanaCocoaAwards.com/nominate.
