CSR - Cadbury Cocoa Partnership supports new programme “create thriving rural communities” in Ghana
Last updated 1/16/2010 10:20:26 AM
Cadbury Cocoa Partnership supports new programme create thriving rural communities in Ghana
The Ghana Cocco (COCOBOD) has gained support from the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership for a nationwide programme of extension services specifically for cocoa farmers in 100 communities.
In 2008, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership was established, committing £45 million into cocoa farming in Ghana, India, South-East Asia and the Caribbean, with the overarching objective of supporting sustainable cocoa communities and improving the lives of half a million cocoa farmers and their families by 2018.
The programme will see business, governments and non government experts working together co-ordinating the efforts of all extension officers in Ghana with the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership funding extension officers in the 100 communities where the Partnership is active with plans to expand further.
Seventeen extension officers will be working closely with these communities and with partners CARE, VSO and World Vision to help them find ways to improve production on their cocoa farms.
Farmer extension services such as training and improving access to fertilisers and seedlings are critical to helping cocoa growing communities improve yields and livelihoods.
Tony Fofie, COCOBOD, said: "Additional extension officers will help widen the programme to more communities and bring increased benefits to farmers."
As well as community-focused initiatives, the Partnership also seeks to support broader national efforts through work with the Government to develop and promote sound environmental practices, reduce deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, provide minimum basic salaries and in particular contribute to the national objective in Ghana to eliminate worst forms of child labour from cocoa production.
In Ghana, a community-centred governance structure has been set up in partnership with UNDP, the Government of Ghana, local trade union experts and our partners CARE, VSO and World Vision. Work has begun in 100 Cocoa Partnership communities - working with our partners to write tailored Community Action Plans that enable villages to identify and meet their needs.
James Boateng, managing director, at Cadbury Ghana, added: "The ambition of the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership is to create thriving rural communities and the extension officers will deliver much needed support to cocoa farmers. We call on others to support this programme and work with COCOBOD to improve extension services in Ghana."
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