Adumasa (E/R) April 17, GNA – Nestlé Ghana Limited, in partnership with ECOM, has handed over boreholes to residents of Adumasa Manya, a farming community in the Eastern Region, to improve their health and productivity.
The move is part of efforts to alleviate the water access challenges faced by the cocoa farming households, particularly the drudgery that the women and children had to go through to access water.
Mr Emmanuel Baffoe-Bonie, the Assistant General Manager for Sustainability at ECOM, during the commissioning ceremony, said the introduction of a centralised water source would free up time for families, allowing them to focus on other important activities.
Together, the two organisations have provided 15 boreholes across three administrative regions; Ashanti, Central, and Eastern, during the 2024-2025 cocoa season.
This serves 7,180 farmers and their households.
ECOM is a world-leading soft commodity services group specialising in coffee, cocoa, and cotton.
The group and Nestlé have been collaborating on the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, a cocoa sustainability programme, for several years, to enhance the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
Through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, the farmers have been empowered to promote the adoption of good agricultural practices, implementing alternative livelihood programmes and to ultimately help improve their household income and overall livelihoods.
Mrs Deborah Kwablah, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Ghana Ltd., said the company remained committed to implementing interventions that improved the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their families.
“By ensuring access to clean water; Nestlé is not only improving health outcomes but also empowering communities to build a more sustainable future,” she said.
The Chief of Adumasa Manya, Baffour Nadu Tetteh I, commended Nestlé and ECOM for the kind gesture and called on the companies and others to support in the community to construct a school and health centre.
The water facilities have been entrusted to water management committees.
Members of these committees are trained on the basics of facilities management.
This approach ensures that the communities are involved in the management and sustainability of the water resources, promoting local ownership and empowerment.
Nestlé recognises the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders, including local communities in their efforts to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
By prioritising innovative and sustainable solutions, the company aims to create long-term positive impact in the cocoa farming sector.
GNA
ABD