General Secretary of the Ghana-China Friendship Association (GHACHIFA ), Mr. Benjamin Anyagre has reiterated calls for Ghana to revolutionize its cocoa industry by adding value to its prized cocoa beans.
The initiative, he argued must be championed by the government to change the narrative in order to boost earnings for farmers, create jobs, and propel Ghana’s economic transformation.
The Ghana-China Friendship Association (GHACHIFA) has thrown its weight behind this initiative, emphasizing the need for local processing and value addition.
“Ghana’s cocoa is the best in the world, and we should be exporting chocolate, not just beans,” said a GHACHIFA General Secretary.
The cocoa industry is plagued by pricing issues, politics, and cartels that hinder progress. Despite these obstacles, Mr. Anyagre believes that with focused leadership and national dialogue, Ghana can overcome these hurdles.
Citing Vietnam’s remarkable transformation which he stated to serve as an inspiration.
“From exporting minimal value-added goods in 2000, Vietnam now exports more than the entire African continent combined. Ghana can replicate this success, leveraging its cocoa and gold resources,”Mr. Anyagre challenged.
“Burkina Faso’s gold reserves, expertly leveraged, have transformed its economy,”he further disclosed.
He bemoaned, “Ghana, with its rich resources, can similarly chart a new path.”
The call is for leaders to be bold, confront vested interests, and prioritize national development.
As Ghana is set to embark on this journey, stakeholders urge the government to engage citizens, encourage innovation, and ensure transparency.
“With collective effort, Ghana can break free from raw material exportation and become a thriving industrial hub, benefiting its people and securing a brighter future,”he stated.
By Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
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