The Overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has warned that Ghana would never gain economic freedom if she continued to be a major exporter of raw materials. To him, our economic woes would be reversed if the country becomes a major production hub of refined products.
According to Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, Ghana, like many other African countries, is being confronted with a huge balance of payment deficits, occasioned by the country’s failure to boost local production. He contended that no country could develop when it exported raw materials outstrip local production and value-added products.
Speaking at the launch of Honico Chocolate Spread and Beverage at Kyebi Amanfrom, Osagyefo indicated that the statistics in the cocoa sector alone was alarming and most challenging.
According to him, West Africa alone accounted for over 70% of the world’s cocoa production, with Ghana accounting for over 30% of the total production.
“It is ironic to learn that the entire West African sub-region produces a pitiable less than 1% of the world’s chocolate. Our contribution to other value-added cocoa products is even more scandalous. The implication of this for our country and continent is far-reaching,” the Okyenhene said.
He argued that the lack of value-addition in the cocoa enterprise meant that cocoa farmers, especially smallholder farmers, only got a meagre share in the estimated US$130 billion global chocolate industry.
The cocoa industry, he stated, has the potential to resolve the entire economic problems of Ghana.
“The launching of Honico Chocolate Spread and Beverage is commendable and praise-worthy. It represents a bold, but humble, attempt to increase our share of the value chain in the chocolate industry.
“After many decades of experimentation, it is time to come to the realisation that agri-business and agro-processing through value addition is the way to go,” the Okyenhene stated.
Osagyefo called on the government to institute measures aimed at boosting the productive capacity of small and medium enterprises in Ghana, especially those engaged in the agro-processing value chain.
He said the location of the Honico Chocolate factory at Amanfrom was strategic, because the factory was positioned in a cocoa producing area, which placed it close to the raw materials in part, and closer to the farmers, who, undoubtedly, would be inspired and encouraged when shown the kind of value added to their cocoa beans.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin urged management of the company to institute measures to meet quality standards. This, he said, was the only way to ensure sustenance in creating jobs and improving the standard of living of our farmers.
