COFFEE HOLDS POTENTIAL TO COMPLEMENT COCOA GAINS - DEPUTY CE

Date: 23rd October 2024

The Deputy Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control, Dr Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, has stressed that coffee holds enormous potential to generate as much foreign exchange as cocoa brings to the country annually. 

The cocoa sector's chief agronomist called for equal attention to be given to crop investments in coffee production to complement the gains being made from cocoa, the country’s leading export commodity.

He acknowledged the underdevelopment of the coffee sub-sector compared to cocoa and noted that this presents significant opportunities for stakeholders to invest in coffee production, given its high global demand.

Dr Oduro Owusu made these observations when he delivered a speech on behalf of the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, at the launch of the Ghana Coffee Week in Accra.

According to him, efforts to revamp coffee are strenuously being considered, citing a collaborative effort between COCOBOD, the Coffee Federation of Ghana and the International Trade Centre to promote the consumption of coffee.

He added that COCOBOD, through its subsidiaries and divisions, is also involved in the scientific research, grading and certification, extension services, development and distribution of coffee planting materials to out-growers free of charge.

Dr Ebenezer Owusu urged the government to intensify efforts in attracting strategic partners to fully harness the potential of coffee, thereby reducing the country’s over-reliance on cocoa.

The National Coordinator for the Alliance for Action programme, Mr Larry Attippoe said the global value of the coffee industry was estimated at US$ 223.78 billion and was expected to grow at 5.7% annually.

The National Coffee Week, which commenced on October 21, has been instituted under the auspices of the International Trade Centre, Coffee Federation of Ghana, the International Coffee Federation, Alliance for Action and other partners to celebrate the global significance of coffee as an international commodity, promote local consumption and explore innovative ways of developing Ghana’s coffee sector. 

This year’s edition was under the theme, “Boosting Ghana’s Coffee Sector for Sustainable Economic Growth” also focused on the implementation of the ACP Business-friendly Programme, funded by the European Union, to bolster Ghana’s coffee.

Other activities include visits to major coffee-growing areas in Kwahu and the Volta Region and engaging the youth and women in coffee production.