Accra, Ghana – The Executive Secretary of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), His Excellency Alex Assanvo, paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), today. The visit served to congratulate Minister Ablakwa on his recent appointment and to update him on the organization’s ongoing work, while also aiming to foster stronger cooperation between the Ministry and CIGCI in fulfilling its mandate.
During the meeting, Assanvo emphasized that CIGCI is diligently working to place cocoa producers at the center of the cocoa value chain, ensuring they receive better benefits. Minister Ablakwa welcomed the proposal for enhanced cooperation, highlighting cocoa’s significant role in the economies of both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. He underscored the prescience of establishing CIGCI, noting that with the two nations accounting for approximately 60% of the world’s cocoa beans, collaborative efforts are imperative to achieve a fair market for the commodity.
The Minister further stated that the initiative’s focus on commodity-based cooperation aligns with the African Union’s Flagship Programme to formulate an African Commodities Strategy. He assured Assanvo of Ghana’s continuous commitment to working with the organization to achieve these shared objectives.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
