Set Up Small-Scale Cocoa Processing Plants in Growing Communities to Boost Jobs and Export Value -AGI
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has begun discussions with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness to establish small-scale cocoa processing plants in cocoa-growing areas as part of efforts to increase local value addition and strengthen Ghana’s industrial base. The initiative aims to enable cocoa beans to be refined locally before export, allowing Ghana to retain more value within the supply chain and reduce its reliance on raw bean exports. Drive to Expand Value Addition Speaking at the association’s National Council Retreat, AGI leadership stressed the urgency of expanding domestic cocoa processing capacity to maximise economic benefits from one of Ghana’s most important export commodities. “We are engaging the Trade Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, to establish cocoa processing plants to refine our beans before exporting,” the association said. According to AGI, processing cocoa into semi-finished and finished products such as cocoa liquor, butter and ...