New cocoa processing factory innaugurated

Tema, Feb 13, GNA - Mr. Alan Kyeremanten, the Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI, has expressed the government's determination to pursue programmatic trade policies to ensure investors enjoy attractive returns on their investments. This would encourage the investors, both local and foreign, to invest more and become frontline ambassadors in attracting foreign direct investment in Ghana.

The minister said this in a speech read for him at the inauguration of a second cocoa bean processing line with a capacity of 30,000 tones per annum for Barry Callebaut Ghana Limited, a cocoa processing factory operating in the Free Zone Enclave at Tema.

The inauguration of the second line together with the expansion of the finished product, warehouse, administration building and extra social block cost over 10 million dollars.

The first line, which was inaugurated five years ago when the factory was established, also has a capacity of 30,000 tones bringing it to 60,000 tones per annum.

Mr Kyerematen said the thrust of government's industrial policy is to add value to the country's local resources particularly agricultural products to produce quality and competitive products for the domestic and export markets.

He said the successful utilization of Ghana cocoa by the company held tremendous potential for transforming the rural economy of the cocoa growing areas and this should help Ghana achieve its goal of processing at least 40 per cent of cocoa locally.

Mr. Patrick De Maeseneire, Chief Executive Officer of Barry Callebaut, said the second line as well as the investment in "a village we have built for our employees are evidence of our long-term commitment to this country."

Mr Maeseneire said the company strives to improve the quality of "our cocoa beans and at the same time we are making a contribution to the nation economic development."

The Managing Director of Barry Callebaut Ghana, Mr. Gotzon de Aquirre, expressed the hope that the government would soon resolve the energy situation.

Mr. Benoit Villers, President of Global Sourcing and Cocoa, said the company invested in Ghana following the government's commitment to increase cocoa production to above one million tones a year. Mr. Isaac Osei, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board, gave the assurance that the board would work in partnership with the company to achieve success.

He said investors who have kept faith in their activities would be supported to make strides.

Mr. Emmanuel Calvin Nqwem, Operations Manager, said no by-product is wasted, as everything is re-cycled for another new product. 13 Feb. 07