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COCOBOD signals new policy direction after meeting cocoa processors
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board COCOBOD, Dr Randy Abbey, has indicated that the government plans to introduce a new policy direction for Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Dr Abbey made the remarks after a stakeholder engagement with cocoa processors, describing the consultations as a key step in shaping reforms within the sector.
He noted that processors play an extremely important role in the cocoa value chain, particularly in the area of value addition.
According to him, the meeting formed part of a series of engagements aimed at aligning industry players with the government’s strategy.
He explained that it was necessary to meet leaders in the processing sector to demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening value addition.
He disclosed that both the Finance Minister and the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry led the discussions.
He added that full details of the government’s policy direction would be outlined in a press briefing by the Finance Minister later in the day.
Dr Abbey stressed that Ghana must rethink its long standing reliance on exporting raw cocoa beans.
In his view, a shift toward value addition is critical if the country is to create jobs, improve returns for farmers, and expand business opportunities.
He maintained that changing course in the cocoa industry would help generate greater wealth and support entrepreneurship.
The anticipated reforms are expected to address structural issues and promote increased local processing of cocoa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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