The West African Mills Company (WAMCO), a cocoa processing company in Takoradi, is appealing to the COCOBOD to facilitate an increase and regular supply of raw cocoa beans in order to optimize production.
WAMCO is a joint venture between the government, through COCOBOD, and a German entity, with Ghana having a 40 percent stake. The company has grown through ups and downs and was at one point shut down due to the lack of supply of raw cocoa beans. Currently, the company is producing at 40 percent capacity. Management of COCOBOD, led by the Board Chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Dumelo, therefore paid a working visit to the company to assess the situation, dialogue with management, and proffer solutions to their challenges.
The Deputy Managing Director, Finance and Administration at WAMCO, Dr Daniel Boakye Danquah, appealed for an increased supply of raw cocoa, as this will help the company boost production, increase profitability, and employment.
The Chairman of the Board, Dr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said that as a shareholder, COCOBOD is interested in their operations and sees how best they can help it survive to ensure that the taxpayer’s money is prudently utilized. He stated processing more raw cocoa beans will bring value addition, which will contribute to the development of the country’s economy and provide jobs to the youth. This will also help check the export of raw cocoa beans and instead focus on local value addition.
