Cocoa Producers Alliance urged to strategize for greater competitiveness

President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana has tasked member countries of the Cocoa Producers Alliance (COPAL) to speak against the imposition of tariffs on cocoa products such as cocoa powder and cocoa butter that are exported to Europe.

In an address at the opening session of the 70th COPAL Council of Ministers meeting in Accra last week, President Kufuor said value addition is one of the surest ways of ensuring sustainability of the cocoa economy in member countries. He asked the countries to pay attention to harmonization of quality standards, payment of remunerative prices to farmers, processing and consumption of more cocoa locally and adherence to good agronomic practices.

“If we prioritized these objectives in our respective national development agenda, I believe we would be heading towards fulfilling the dreams of the founding members of the Cocoa Producers’ Alliance and helping to reduce poverty among a large section of the cocoa growing communities in various countries,” he said.

Professor George Gyan-Baffour, Deputy Minister of Finance, said the government would take measures to eliminate any cases of the worst form of child labour on cocoa farms and also lend support to other stakeholders and partners to eliminate the practice.

He also stressed the need to intensify efforts to bring other cocoa producing countries into the fold of COPAL. Currently, out of the 17 African cocoa producers, only seven are members of COPAL. “It is the hope of Ghana that the secretariat would spare no effort in getting a number of these countries to be members of COPAL. Our alliance would thus become stronger.”

Mr. Charles Ugwuh, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, urged member countries to target China as a major target because of its enormous potential. "Indeed, it is worthwhile to consider appointing a Specialist or consultant to provide detailed advisory on this as well as other emerging markets.”

Accra Daily Mail