Deputy High Commissioner to UK assures ICCO

of government's continuous collaboration.....................

Government will not abandon the cocoa sector - Mrs. Elizabeth Nicol

Ghana’s deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Mrs. Elizabeth Nicol has assured the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) of government's continuous support for the sector.

She said this at a reception held for members of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) and which was attended by board members of the Ghana Cocoa Board, at the main reception hall of the Ghana High Commission in London on Thursday, 21st of August 2011.

Mrs. Nicol said, even though Ghana has joined the ranks of oil producing countries, government will not abandon the cocoa sector since it contributes significantly to Ghana's GDP and is a major foreign exchange earner for the country.

"... the government of Ghana will not abandon the cocoa sector even though Ghana has joined the rank of oil and gas producing and exporting countries. This is because cocoa contributes and will continue to contribute significantly to Ghana's GDP and it is infact a major foreign exchange earner for the country."

She congratulated the Chief Executive of the Cocobod, Mr Anthony Fofie, for his exemplary leadership that ensured the record production of 1,000,000 (1 million) metric tons of cocoa achieved this year: "I congratulate Mr. Anthony Fofie for his exemplary leadership as the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board and supported by the government through its policies, programmes and interventions, has achieved the all-time record production of 1,000,000 tons of cocoa by Ghana this year."

"I also congratulate Mr. Anthony Fofie... for a successful term as the chairman of the International Cocoa Council for the 2010/2011 International Cocoa year and also for chairing the 83rd and 84th General Sessions" she added. The Deputy High Commissioner praised the International Cocoa Organization for providing fair prices for cocoa farmers. "I salute the ICCO on your hard work in ensuring sustainability of the International Cocoa Economy by providing fair prices for cocoa farmers as well as cocoa exporters and cocoa product consumers."

Mrs. Nicol observed that "Ghana's continued commitment to the ICCO is exemplified by the signing of the new International Cocoa Agreement on August 1st 2011 and this commitment by government to the ICCO is guaranteed for the foreseeable future."

She therefore assured "the ICCO and cocoa consumers of the sustenance of the high quality of Ghana's cocoa beans as well as the preservation of the environment."

The Chief Executive Officer of Cocobod, Mr. Anthony Fofie, who is also the outgoing chairman of the International Cocoa Council and chair of the 83rd and 84th sessions stated that "Ghana Cocoa Board with the support of government of Ghana will continue to work closely with the ICCO in various capacities as we have done in previous years."

He was presented with a golden cocoa pod by the delegates of ICCO for his sterling performance as the chairman of the organization. Particular mention was made of his flexibility and the diplomacy with which he handled matters of the organization.

Present at the reception were the board chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board, Dr. Percival Kurankye and the board members, Mr. Ewald Wermuth, spokesman for consumers, Mr. Pierre Etoa Abena, spokesman for producers, Mr. Rafael Jaen Tapiola, Chairman of the ICCO Executive Committee, Dr. Jean-Marc Anga, Executive Director of ICCO, staff of the High Commission and the media.