By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, March 17, GNA – The Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, a cocoa processing company, at Eshiem in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region, says inadequate cocoa beans on the market is having a major toll on their production.
It said currently, the demand for cocoa beans for processing into finished and semi-finished products was exceeding supply, hence, hampering production.
Mr Alfred Ampah, Plant Manager of Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, who made this known during the Regional Minister’s visit to company, said: “Ghana is the world’s second largest cocoa producer but is not able to handle the cocoa industry with adequate supply of cocoa beans to companies for improved production.”
He attributed the situation to several factors, including, diseases such as swollen shoot virus and black pod, which he added, had affected over 80,000 hectares of cocoa farms in the country, hence, reducing yields by up to 50 per cent in some areas.
Aside from that, he said deforestation and illegal mining activities had significantly contributed to the decline in cocoa production.
“Another factor is that the low prices being offered or set aside by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) often irritates farmers who would rather smuggle their cocoa beans into neighbouring French West African countries to sell and make enough profit, than sell in Ghana here,” he added.
Mr Ampah stated that the situation was further complicated by the fact that Ghana’s cocoa industry was heavily reliant on exports, with over 80 per cent of its cocoa beans being shipped abroad in their raw state.
According to him, part of the production lines of the company had been shut down, following the shortage of cocoa beans on the market.
He said: “This is an unfortunate situation so government must do something about the shortage of cocoa beans in the country so that we can stay in business.”
Responding to the issue, Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, assured the company of his commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to find lasting solution to the problem.
He said: “With improved supply of cocoa beans, I believe the company can expand its operations and ultimately create more jobs for unemployed youth, particularly those in the Western Region.”
GNA
JP/CA