Fiifi Boafo
THE SENIOR Public Affairs Manager of COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, has called on the culinary sector to explore more cocoa recipes to maximise its use in homes.
This will help inculcate the habit of cocoa consumption at various forms in the young and become a major driver for the campaign to make Ghana a major cocoa consuming economy.
Mr. Boafo was speaking at the Grand National Finals of the ONGA Cook Art 2021, which was organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES) for senior high schools.
This year’s competition was the third edition.
The competition helps to promote vocational education and culture for national development. And COCOBOD has been associated with it to promote the use of cocoa as a food ingredient.
“Whatever you come up with this afternoon, could become the blueprint for a cocoa or chocolate product that will also put Ghana on the global map,” Mr. Boafo said, adding that, “We must relish the chocolate we make and invite all visitors to enjoy our chocolate when they are in Ghana.”
He added that aside the culinary sector, there were potentials and opportunities within the cocoa industry for everyone to explore and take advantage of, based on their skills set.
“We need to have a workforce trained in all the services within the value chain such as warehousing, chocolate and other cocoa products manufacturing, packaging, wholesale and retail as well as other logistical services that generate revenue within the cocoa sector,” he noted.
Mr. Boafo cited the Addison sisters, makers of ‘57 Chocolate’, and members of the Cocoa Value Addition Artisans Association of Ghana as examples of entrepreneurs, who were getting recognition in Ghana and around the world for their resolve to transform Ghana’s cocoa and chocolate business.
Mr. Boafo gave the assurance that COCOBOD will support entrepreneurs with ideas and business which added value and improved current practices in the cocoa industry.
“I can, on behalf of the management of COCOBOD, promise you the fullest cooperation when one comes up with any such intervention.”
“Presently, COCOBOD is working closely with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and other stakeholders to provide funding, training opportunities and technical support for individuals and organisations who desire to go into cocoa processing,” he disclosed.
A team from Akwamuman Senior High School beat four other competing schools to emerge as this year’s Culinary Champions. They won GH¢15,000 from GES and also products from sponsors.
A business desk report