SPD LADIES CLUB INAUGURATES INTERIM EXECUTIVES

Date: 03rd September 2024

The Seed Production Division (SPD) of COCOBOD has inaugurated six interim executives for the SPD Ladies Club in a vibrant ceremony at the Division’s Head Office in Accra.

Deputy Executive Director of SPD, Dr Alfred Arthur, who chaired the occasion, explained that the Club serves not only as a platform for networking but also as a means to foster effective collaboration and support the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector.

“Today, we have witnessed a very important ceremony that will foster growth and commitment to the Division moving forward,” he said.

Dr. Arthur noted that the Club was established to advocate for women's inclusion and to promote more women in managerial positions within the sector. He emphasized that the club’s administrative work should not be seen as the sole responsibility of the executives but rather as a collaborative effort to ensure the success of the club across every activity in the value chain.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Human Resource Director, Mrs Esther Omari Mireku, Human Resource Manager for SPD, encouraged the club executives to empower members through discipline, networking, and career development so they can effectively execute any assigned task.

"Empowerment makes us stronger, more confident, and ensures that we can stand for our rights and deliver when called upon,” she said.

Mrs Mireku further noted that the cocoa sector presents vast opportunities for all genders, and it is up to the executives to identify and present these opportunities to club members to help them take full advantage of them.

According to the Human Resource Manager, every member of the club, regardless of status, plays a significant role in the sustainability of the cocoa sector. She emphasized the need for members of all ladies' clubs in the cocoa industry to support one another and contribute meaningfully to the industry's development.

“We all play an important role in the industry. Never feel discouraged or underestimate your capabilities in your various offices; instead, seize the opportunities around you,” she urged.

Mrs Mireku also called on the leaders to remain committed and dedicated to the group’s purpose, stressing that the views of members should always be considered and treated with urgency.

"Do not use your position to misbehave or look down on your members. Rather, protect their interests and make yourself available whenever they need guidance," she emphasized.

The newly inaugurated executives are Mrs Lady J.W.E Mensah (President), Mrs Emilia Ahulu (Vice President), Mr Charity Dogbey (Organizer), Mrs Abena Afrifa (Organizer), Mrs Felicia Offei (Secretary), and Mrs Abena Korankyi (Treasurer).