Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture, has inaugurated a nine-member Governing Board for the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), with a charge to help transform the company into a viable and profitable enterprise.

They should also work to support the government’s Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.

The Minister said there were already signals that the company had begun the process of turning its fortunes from a heavily loss-making entity to a vibrant one.

Dr Afriyie Akoto, who was speaking after administering the official oath and oath of secrecy, stated that it was the policy of government to encourage and facilitate enhanced local processing of cocoa to generate income and create jobs.

“The essence of CPC is to be part of government’s transformation agenda in the shortest possible time for the benefit of the people especially value chain actors, by helping improve livelihoods” he emphasised.

The Minister expressed optimism that the management of the company, with the support of the highly qualified and capable board, would help the organisation to realise its goals.

He commended Mr Joe Forson, the Managing Director of CPC, for leading and instituting rigorous measures aimed at turning around the fortunes of the company, saying “I have great faith that with the support of the board he will succeed.”

Mr Kwaku Owusu Baah, Chairman of the Governing Board on behalf of members pledged to work diligently to ensure the sustenance of the cocoa sector and its critical contribution to the livelihood of people.

He assured that they would support the growth of the company with their experience and professionalism to achieve the mandate of the state enterprise.

“We have heard and agree with the concern that exporting of raw cocoa beans over the years has not helped the country. The bean is exported and we do not get the deserved revenue. The chocolate industry is valued over 100 billion dollars annually but Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire get only 3 billion or less annually,” he said.

He urged the government to support the board in the area of policy interventions to promote local consumption to move the country up to the value chain just as Brazil did and climbed to be a leading consumer and producer of Cocoa.

The members of the Board are Nana Agyenim Boateng, Mr Ben Abdulla Banda, Mrs Philomena Okyere, Mr Emanuel Ray Ankrah, Mr Joe Forson, Mr Abdul Samed-Adams and Professor Douglas Boateng.