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Company News of Thursday, March 14, 2019
Source: mynewsgh.com
2019-03-14
Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Executive Director of the Ghana Cocoa Board
Ghana and Ivory Coast led by their cocoa production authorities, the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Cocoa Coffee Council opposed ISO certification, which they said would worsen the situation already. difficult cocoa. farmers from the two major producing countries.
The two countries have therefore decided to suspend ISO certification and continue to develop their standard, which they believe will take into account the interest of all stakeholders in the cocoa value chain.
This was announced at the signing of a statement and joint press conference in Abidjan by Joseph Boahen Aidoo, chief executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, and his counterpart, the chief executive of The Counsel Du coffee-cocoa, Hon. Ibrahim Kone Yves.
The two countries held a series of meetings following a statement by the Presidents of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire asking cocoa management authorities to collaborate and find lasting measures to improve the situation. cocoa farmers and ensure the sustainability of the cocoa industry. .
Speaking at the declaration ceremony, COCOBOD's managing director, Joseph Boahen, said the two countries did not oppose setting standards for the cocoa industry. , but that they found that the provisions of the proposed ISO certification did not include the operations of cocoa farmers and how to operate. The implementation of standards will only create untold difficulties for farmers.
Mr. Aidoo explained that a situation in which farmers are supposed to prepare what is called the COCOA Agricultural Development Plan, the PDCD and their operating documents will be audited, as well as farms to be audited at a cost to farmers, is a proposal that is not feasible in the context of agricultural competition in Ghana currently.
He also wondered why such a cost would be pbaded on to an already impoverished farmer. "The price of the world cocoa market is already making life difficult for you and you want to put in place programs that will meet consumer expectations and make life worse for consumers. farmer.
The two countries also revealed that they are currently working on certification and traceability standards for cocoa in West Africa, which would take into account the interests of all stakeholders.
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