COCOBOD HONOURS GHANAIAN COCOA FARMERS FOR EXCELLENCE AT INTERNATIONAL COCOA AWARDS

Date: 24th January 2026

Management of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has honoured the winners of the 2023 International Cocoa of Excellence (CoEx) Awards in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the production of high-quality and fine-flavour cocoa.

The awardees, Mr. Daniel Nti of Samreboi in the Western North Region, Mr. Emmanuel Takyi of Ayirebi in the Eastern Region, and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), were presented with their awards on Thursday, 22nd January 2025, at Cocoa House in Accra.

Presenting the awards on behalf of the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr. Francis Baah, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control (A&QC) commended the awardees for upholding Ghana’s longstanding reputation as a global leader in premium cocoa production. He also lauded the organisers of the Cocoa of Excellence Awards for promoting innovation, quality, and sustainability within the global cocoa industry.

Dr. Baah highlighted the critical role of research, farmer training, and improved post-harvest practices in Ghana’s continued success on the international cocoa stage, stressing that such interventions have significantly enhanced the quality and flavour integrity of Ghanaian cocoa.

Dr. James Kutsoati, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations, also encouraged the awardees to serve as ambassadors for fine-flavour cocoa. He charged the awardees to use their achievements to inspire other cocoa farmers to adopt best practices that enhance quality and further strengthen Ghana’s leadership in the global cocoa market.

The awardees expressed their deep appreciation to COCOBOD for the technical support and guidance in best agronomic practices, which they said were crucial in meeting the high standards needed for international recognition. They further pledged to sustain high-quality cocoa production while mentoring fellow farmers in their respective communities.

The Cocoa of Excellence (CoEx) Awards is a prestigious international initiative that recognises cocoa producers for excellence in quality, flavour, and sustainable production practices. Cocoa beans submitted for the awards undergo a rigorous assessment process, including fermentation quality analysis, flavour profiling, and evaluation by an international jury.

The initiative promotes high-quality cocoa, supports speciality cocoa markets, and encourages excellence among cocoa farmers worldwide. Ghana’s consistent recognition at the CoEx Awards underscores the country’s enduring commitment to quality and competitiveness in the global cocoa industry.