Help optimise value of cocoa - Ghana urges Cadbury boss

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday said Ghana was seeking partnerships with companies that utilise cocoa in their products to add more value to the cash crop to increase the country's earnings.

President Kufuor, who said this when he received the visiting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cadbury Schweppes Plc, said Ghana could capture the cocoa market in the sub-region and beyond with such fruitful partnerships.

"Cadbury is one of the pioneer companies which utilises Ghana's cocoa and over the years you have helped us to maintain the quality.

You should now help us to add more value to the crop for our mutual benefit."

President Kufuor said the sub-regional grouping, like Ghana, was moving in the right direction to facilitate economic growth, adding that, Cadbury should expand its base in Ghana and use its rich market experience to reach the others in the sub-region.

Mr Sunderland, who arrived in Ghana on Monday, said his visit had been productive and he had had fruitful discussions with ministers of state and otherofficials.

"Our relationship which spans over 100 years is well cemented and we intend to increase our production levels in Ghana," he said.

Cadbury Schweppes has had a long historical relationship with Ghana dating back to the early 1900s, which has continued to date with Cadbury's continuous use of Ghana's cocoa as a major ingredient in the manufacture of the world's famous Cadbury range of chocolate products.

Mr Sunderland, who leaves Ghana tonight, updated himself with the progress of Cadbury Ghana Limited, held discussions with the Ministers of Finance and Trade and Industry as well as key stakeholders in the cocoa industry, during his two-day visit.

He became the CEO of the company in 1996 and the founding director of the Coca-Cola Schweppes joint venture in 1987.

Mr Sunderland is also a managing director of the UK Sugar Confectionery Division and subsequently Trebor Basssett.