As part of its four in-country launches, the CocoaSoils program has been launched in Ghana. The program dubbed, “Sustainable intensification of cocoa production through the development and dissemination of integrated soil fertility management” took place at the forecourt of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, New Tafo on June 19, 2018.
The program launch attracted about 90 experts and representatives from COCOBOD, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, universities, fertilizer companies, chocolate producing companies, farmers as well as the press and media.
Dr. Ofori Frimpong, the National Coordinator for CODAPEC and chairperson for the launch, commenced the program at about 9:00 am. In his introductory speech, the chairperson remarked “I am therefore excited to know the project is a public-private sector partnership aimed at improving soil fertility using integrated soil fertility management approach. The government alone cannot take the burden. We in the cocoa industry believe that all efforts aimed at ensuring greater improvement in the development of the cocoa sector will require the collective efforts of both the government and the private sector.
We are therefore delighted by the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the implementation of the CocoaSoils Project.” The program was characterized by speeches from other dignitaries present including, Dr. Adu Ampomah, the Deputy Chief Executive (A&QC) of COCOBOD, Dr. F.M. Amoah, the Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, Dr. Richard Asare, the program Coordinator of CocoaSoils and Dr. Amos Quaye, the CRIG facilitator for CocoaSoils. The program was also interjected with cultural displays and poetry recitals. The premier session of the launch ended with lunch at the CRIG Clubhouse and continued with a technical session which commenced with a presentation by Dr. Richard Asare. The program ended with a question and answer session, where participants debated on varying scientific questions with regards to the project protocol design, the CocoaSoils Partnership as well as its extension and dissemination tools.