By: Rachel Kakraba
France is in talks with the European Union to solicit support for Smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana. When successful it will go a long way to ensure operations of the cocoa value chain are enhanced to ultimately improve yields and revenue generation.
Visiting French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Mrs. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, who said this, intimated that as a huge producer of cocoa, Ghana must be supported to improve the sector. She was speaking to journalists after a tour of Touton Cocoa Processing Company, in Tema, as part of a three-day visit to Ghana. She described Touton as a good example of the private sector investing in Ghana to improve the lives of the people.
The three nation African tour started on March 29, with Benin, Togo and Ghana. It is to renew the partnership between France, Europe and the African continent focused on youth, innovation and culture.
After touring the facility of Touton Cocoa Processing Company, she described Touton as a good example of the private sector making investment in Ghana to improve the lives of citizens.
“Here is a good example that the private sector can invest and be part of the development of the wellbeing of the population” I’m very happy to discover that this firm takes care of the environmental and social”
Mrs. Zacharopoulou commended the company for being environmentally conscious and adhering to best practices. She pledged France support to Ghana and also called on the private sector to come on board to explore other areas for mutual benefit.
“For us it’s very important we respect the environmental and social standards and of course we believe that the public money is very important and we call the private sector to come on board”
The Managing Director, Touton Cocoa Processing Company Stéphane N’GUETTIA, expressed confidence in Ghana’s cocoa industry, stating that it will continue to invest in it to make it sustainable. He expressed appreciation to COCOBOD and other relevant authorities for their cooperation which has propelled improvement in the sector.
“We believe cocoa in Ghana and we continue to invest and support it. All of our stakeholders and partners continue to improve and to make local consumption more sustainable”
Touton is a French trader and processor of tropical agricultural commodities. Founded in Bordeaux in 1848, the group is amongst the world’s top 5 traders of cocoa which accounts for two-third of its activity. Under the French initiative (IFCD), of which Touton is a steering committee member, France hopes to improve the living income of producers, to end the supply of cocoa from deforestation by 2025, and to accelerate the fight against forced and child labour.
Mrs. Zacharopoulou, later visited the Osu Castle and Skate Park in Accra.
