Work starts on new Cocoa Factory

Construction works on a modern cocoa processing factory by Barry Callebaut, a Swiss chocolate manufacturing company within the Export Processing Zone enclave, took off yesterday in Tema.

The company, which plans to export its first product by July next year, also expects to reach an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons of cocoa beans.

Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of work, Mr Dan Abodakpi, Minister of Trade, noted that for an experienced multinational corporation like Barry Callebaut to invest in Ghana at a time of vigorous election campaigns, is a demonstration of confidence in the stability and continuity of the country’s economic progress.

He said the company’s location in Ghana, is a confirmation that the free zones programme is fulfilling its mandate of attracting quality investors.

Mr Abodakpi, who is also the Chairman of the Free Zones Board, therefore, appealed to the owners of the new company to convince their colleague investors to locate in the processing zones.

He also urged the International Land Development Company Limited that brought in the chocolate company and other developers to disregard all the negative propaganda surrounding the free zones enclaves.

On his part, Mr Andreas George Shmid, Chief Executive of Barry Callebaut, said the company is happy to be in Ghana, a country that is recognised internationally for the quality of its cocoa beans.

He said the company at present employs over 5,000 people in 24 factories spread over four continents.

Besides, he said, the company also controls 40 per cent of the world -wide open chocolate market with an annual turn-over of $1.4 billion.

The Tema Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Armah Ashietey, who chaired the function, welcomed the investment, which he saidwould create more jobs for the people.