Ghana proposes to host headquarters of ICCO

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA - Mr Jan Vingerhoets, Executive Director of International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) has held discussions with officials of Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning on Ghana's proposal to host headquarters of the organisation.

A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday and signed by Mrs Pauline Adobea Dadzawa, Public Affairs Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) said Mr Vingerhoets also held discussions with management of the company.

It said discussions with the management centred on activities and projects of mutual interests including the final Cocoa By-products report, a Round Table on Sustainability, the planned International Conference on the health and nutritional aspects of cocoa and chocolate. The statement said Mr Isaac Osei, Chief Executive of COCOBOD expressed appreciation for Mr Vingerhoets' visit and reiterated Ghana's support for ICCO's interest in the cocoa industry and gave the assurance that Ghana would participate in ICCO's programme for growth in the industry.

It said Mr Vingerhoets on a week's visit to Ghana also held discussions with the President of Licensed Cocoa Buying Agencies and Haulers.

He would visit some cocoa processing factories in Ghana, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) at New Tafo in the Eastern Region and meet some cocoa farmers.