Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana has broken ground for the construction of an ultra-modern Cocoa Flavour Laboratory and quality Training Centre sponsored by Ezaki Glico Company in Akyem New Tafo of the Eastern Region.
The project estimated to be completed in six months will house a sensory evaluation and bean quality laboratory as well as a quality training center for training cocoa farmers, Cocobod staff and stakeholders along the cocoa value chain.
The ultimate goal of the project is to enhance research into bean quality and to build the capacity of all stakeholders along the value chain in their quest to continue serving the country with chocolate and confectionery industry high-quality premium cocoa beans.
The construction of the ultra-modern training facility in Africa which is the first of its kind in Africa will cost GHC850K and is expected to provide training for farmers in the country and Africa at large.
At a brief sod-cutting ceremony at Akyem New Tafo on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, the Executive Director of (CRIG), Dr. Isaac Opoku expressed gratitude to their sponsors Ezaki Glico Company Limited and TCHO Ventures for the kind donation of a whopping amount of GHC850K for the facility.
He acknowledged TCHO support in six of their sensory analysts, including Technical Assistants and Technical Officers, travel to California USA to receive advanced training on sensory evaluation.
He also commended the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) for absorbing the flavour project under its African Cocoa Initiative (ACI).
According to him, the WCF/ACI have together improved the cocoa sector in the country as two farmers won awards in 2015 and 2017 in Paris, France respectively at the International Cocoa Awards.
Dr. Opoku lamented that the key challenges facing CRIG is the inadequate laboratory space and modern equipment to facilitate research and is of the view the construction of the flavour lab will help address the said challenge.
He then assured their donors and implementing partners that CRIG will continue to work assiduously to maintain the confidence reposed by using the donated funds for its intended purpose.
He said, the timelines of the construction will be strictly adhered to complete the project on time and is expecting that the commissioning of the facility will be done during the 2020 cocoa day celebration.
Dr. Emmanuel Agyemang Dwomoh, the Deputy Chief Executive of Cocobod reiterated the importance of the construction of an ultra-modern cocoa flavour and quality training center for CRIG as he believes it is of government purpose of ensuring increased and sustainable production of high-quality premium cocoa to serve the chocolate and confectionery industry.
He affirmed that COCOBOD since 2017 has rolled out significant interventions and policies to meet the industry’s need to make cocoa farming much more profitable and attractive to cherished cocoa farmers.
In resolving financial challenges on farmers, he said, government has instituted a mechanism in the trading of cocoa to ensure that the incomes of our cocoa farmers improve which includes; an amount of $2,600 FOB floor price and also a fixed constant extra value of $400 is to be paid of the terminal market price which is the Living Income Differential (LID).
He assured buyers that the Nana Akufo-Addo led government remains committed to the increased production of premium quality beans to feed industry.
Mr. Dwomoh again assured cocoa farmers about Cocobod’s commitment to the president’s call to ensure better living conditions.
The Special Advisor to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Yaw Adu Ampomah expressed readiness to support cocoa production in the country.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Solomon K. Nuwordu
