OFI Ghana Ltd., formerly known as Olam Food Ingredients Ghana Ltd., has demonstrated its resolve to continually ensure that Ghana’s cocoa crop is produced sustainably and devoid of vices, most notably child labour.
The Licenced Buying Company (LBC) in Ghana’s cocoa sector and one of the leading exporters of cashew in the industry recently donated more than half a million cedis to support advocacy against the menace of child labour as well as help provide sponsorship packages for the education of children in cocoa growing regions across the west African nation.
At a ceremony in Ghana’s capital, Accra, OFI’s Global Chief Sustainability Officer, Mr. Gerard A. Manley, presented checks totalling 550,000 cedis to four (4) of its educational funds in cocoa-growing communities of Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western North Region, Akyem Tafo in the Eastern Region, Wala in the Northern Region, and Goaso in the Ahafo Region.
In his remarks, Manley, who retires later this year after 40 years of service, called on all stakeholders in the cocoa industry to persist in the fight against vices such as deforestation, pollution of water bodies, and child labour to ensure that the cocoa industry becomes sustainable to continually provide jobs and livelihoods to farmers and the nation as a whole.
“OFI is committed to eliminating child labour, improving access to education, protecting nature, and helping farmers earn more,’’ he said.
On his part, the Country Head of OFI Ghana, Mr. Eric Asare-Botwe, reiterated his company’s commitment to its sustainability goals and initiatives.
“Cocoa-growing communities play a crucial role in the global supply chain but often face challenges in accessing quality education due to limited resources”, Mr. Botwe said.
“This donation will help enhance access to quality education, improve infrastructure, and empower the children and youth in cocoa-growing regions to pursue their education.’’
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, who graced the occasion, paid glowing tributes to Mr. Gerard A. Manley for his unwavering support for Ghana’s cocoa industry and his many years of dedicated service and outstanding achievements that have propelled Ghana’s cocoa industry to this point.