The Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Sam Jerome, has passionately appealed to Olam Ghana to offer more employment opportunities to indigenes of the Sefwi area in the Western North Region.
Sam Jerome made the remarks when a delegation comprising the 2024 National Best Cocoa Farmer award winners and farmer representatives on COCOBOD’s Board embarked on a week-long tour of the United Kingdom, visiting Olam, GCMC UK Ltd, and OFI to gain firsthand insight into how Ghana’s premium cocoa is marketed and processed by global brands.
He commended Olam Ghana for its remarkable work in the cocoa value chain, saying, “They have that position, and I prize them for what they have been doing.”
Sam Jerome, who hails from Sefwi in the Western North Region, revealed his personal connection to the area.
“I was very particular when I heard him talk about Olam having a branch in Sefwi. I come from Sefwi in the Western North Region, so I am quite aware of the activities they are involved in regarding cocoa purchases in the area,” he said.
He, however, used the opportunity to make a heartfelt appeal to Olam to prioritize the employment of local people within the region.
“Yes, having branches in Ghana contributes to employment — you are giving employment — but I’ll be very passionate to make an appeal that the indigenes found in Sefwi should also be given a bigger quota when the opportunity comes for employment,” he emphasized.
According to him, Olam can also consider employing people from Sefwi and other cocoa-growing areas and posting them to other regions across the country.
He said this would serve as fair recognition of their immense contribution to the production of premium cocoa beans.
“You can also employ people and send them to other parts of the country. Since we’ve been giving you much of the beans that you purchase across the world — and it is not just any beans, but premium cocoa beans — and that is what we have been noted for. We’ve created a niche when it comes to producing premium cocoa,” he said.
He urged Olam Ghana to partner with COCOBOD in developing special welfare packages for farmers, particularly those who are brought to London or Europe for study tours and engagements.
“If we do our part by bringing farmers to London or any part of Europe, you can also have a special package that will serve as an incentive to propel them to give their best in cocoa production,” he suggested.
He further commended all stakeholders in the cocoa industry, including Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), for their cooperation during the last price review committee meeting.
He concluded by reaffirming COCOBOD’s commitment to working closely with all partners, including Olam Ghana, to sustain the cocoa sector and ensure that farmers and communities that produce Ghana’s premium beans continue to benefit from their hard work and dedication.
