Cocoa husks has economic potential - Researcher

Kumasi, April 23, GNA - Dr Yeboah Woode, Research Scientist and Lecturer at Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on Thursday said potassium carbonate(potash salt) produced from cocoa husks had large economic potentials that should be exploited for cocoa farmers and the country. He called on Government to support individuals and organisations to produce potash salt extracted from cocoa husks in commercial quantities to boost incomes of cocoa farmers and create employment for the youth and women in cocoa growing areas.

Dr Woode, who is also Executive Director of Marglas Potash Industries (MPI) who made the call in an interview with Ghana News Agency in Kumasi said, the company could not meet the foreign daily demand of about 1,000 tonnes of potash salt produced from cocoa husks. However, he said management could meet the demand with government assistance to establish more factories in major cocoa growing areas throughout the country.

Dr Woode explained that this would not only offer employment for the youth provide extra income to cocoa farmers but also generate about two million dollars in foreign exchange to the country. "Ghana needs to realise the full potentials of cocoa to benefit farmers and the country," he added.

He said the company recently launched a kiln machine he had manufactured for potash extracts at Mankranso in Ahafo-Ano South District in Ashanti Region.

"Since salt extracted from potash could be used in food industries and other consumables, its demand on the international market is very high compared to mined potash which is not good for human consumption, "he said.

Dr Woode said salt extracted from potash would help reduce the importation of potassium salt into the country and in addition, diversify the country's export earnings.

He said management was determined to establish more factories in major cocoa growing areas by 2010 and appealed to government and management of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for assistance.