UGANDAN DIPLOMATS PAY FAMILIARIZATION VISIT TO CRIG

Date: 18th March 2024

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bwamba County of Uganda, Honourable Richard Muhumuza Gafabusa along with three other diplomats has embarked on a familiarization visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG).

Their visit was aimed at gaining insights into cocoa sector operations in Ghana as well as engaging with stakeholders along the cocoa value chain. 

The Executive Director of CRIG, Dr. Francis Padi welcomed the delegation, providing them with an overview of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Institute’s research activities. He highlighted the importance of good agronomic practices such as pre-harvest, and post-harvest management, including fermentation, as well as COCOBOD’s Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEPs) in ensuring crop improvement and sustainable cocoa production. 

Dr. Padi underscored CRIG’s significant contributions to cocoa development by researching the waste of mandate crops, highlighting by-products such as assorted Ghana Dark bar chocolate, cocoa wine and brandy, cocoa butter pomade and soap, cashew nuts, cocoa and cashew jams, all derived from the waste and produced at the New Products Development (NPD) Unit of the Institute to assist farmers generate extra income.

Expressing his optimism about the collaboration, the Executive Director emphasized the potential benefits to both countries, in ensuring optimal yields and fostering a sustainable environment for cocoa production. 

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hon. Muhumuza Gafabusa acknowledged the transformative impact that the collaboration between the two countries will have on Uganda’s cocoa industry. 

“Uganda has long been famous for its coffee, but we are novices in the cocoa sector, which is why we are on a mission to learn from our fellow African countries, especially Ghana, the world’s best exporter of quality premium cocoa”, he shared.

Meanwhile, the attendees included Mr. Patrice Brimmogi, Executive Director of Uganda Development Corporation, Lillian Ricketts-Hagan, Honorary Consul Uganda-Ghana, Elizabeth Muramura, Uganda Development Corporation, Aidah Vumilia, Uganda Development Corporation, Richard Berchmans Armah, Principal Public Affairs Officer, and Geoffrey Opoku-Darko, Public Affairs Officer.

By Geoffrey Opoku-Darko
Public Affairs -  Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana