As the number two producer of cocoa in the world, Mr Poku said Ghana needed to find innovative ways of increasing the quantities processed to earn more revenue and create jobs for the teeeming youth.

“Our nation produces a world-class cocoa crop but most people rarely have a chance to taste it,” Mr Poku said, noting that such a situation needed to be reversed.

He was speaking to the Daily Graphic after the launch of Niche Chocolate, the company’s brand of chocolate processed at its factory at the Tema Free Zones Enclave.

Most of Ghana’s cocoa crop is exported as beans or semi-finished products, while the majority of chocolate found on local shelves are imported from abroad. COCOBOD, over four years ago, launched a campaign to increase the consumption of locally produced cocoa products and this is what Mr Poku has pledged to help promote.

“Ghana’s per capita chocolate consumption is estimated at just over 0.5kg per annum while Europe’s average is four times greater at more than 2kg. Our number is far too low, so a strategy to change this is needed,” he said.

“Niche’s new chocolate line is a step in the right direction and we believe our chocolate will delight millions while being recognised for its excellence throughout the country,” he added.

Until Niche Cocoa’s entry into the cocoa processing business, only CPC refined chocolate in the country under its Golden Tree brand. As a result, Niche Cocoa’s entry will be a significant addition to the country’s drive to ensure increased local consumption.

Niche Cocoa’s CEO explained that the company’s overall objective was to make quality chocolate broadly available to the people of Ghana.

Based in Tema, Niche Cocoa has expanded its operations to include the production and retail of chocolate in the country and abroad. The company’s brand, Niche Chocolate, which includes milk and dark chocolates, will be launched today, Valentine’s Day.

Mr Poku explained that the decision to enter into the chocolate manufacturing business was in line with its goal of adding value to Ghana’s cocoa, which is the country’s leading cash crop.

After a factory tour, the General Manager of Niche Cocoa, Mr Lloyd Ashiley, said trial runs of the chocolate manufacturing line had been completed and the results found to be optimal. Mr Ashiley explained that Niche Chocolate bars had been specially formulated to provide high quality chocolate at an affordable price.

Niche Cocoa started operations in May 2011 with 100 workers and an installed cocoa processing capacity of 30,000 metric tons (MT) per annum. Six years later the company has doubled its capacity to 60,000 MT per annum. It has also boosted its workforce to 250.

Due to its success in exporting processed cocoa, Niche received the Presidential National Award for Export Achievement. It was adjudged the Exporter of the Year for 2013, 2014, and 2015. Citations that accompanied the three awards said the honour was in recognition of Niche’s contribution to Ghana’s global trade.

Despite receiving significant honours during its brief existence, Niche is not content to rest on its laurels. In addition to chocolate, by year-end 2017 the company also plans to introduce chocolate spreads and instant chocolate drinks onto the domestic market.

“Not only do we want to be Ghana’s premier bean-to-bar producer, we also want to be the best when it comes to bean-to-table,” the CEO explained.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Niche Cocoa to increase local cocoa consumption appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Both retailers and chocolate consumers in the metropolis have expressed disappointment at the timing of the shortage.

February 14, every year, Saint Valentine’s Day, has been declared a “national chocolate day” by the Ghana government, to highlight the nutritional benefits of cocoa, an important cash crop, and to encourage people to consume more of cocoa products locally.

Mrs. Philomena Osei, a provisions’ shop owner at Adum, in an interview said, the shortage was going to badly affect her business.

She indicated that, chocolate and other related products including pebbles produced by the CPC tend to be in high demand during the month of February, and that was when they got good sales.

Miss Agatha Agyeiwaa, a vendor at the railway station, described the lack of supply as a huge blow.

The Ashanti Regional Representative of the Company, Mr. Augustine Apom, confirmed that the company’s factory was experiencing some technical challenges, and that had affected the production.

He said it was unfortunate that this should happen at the peak season, when demand for their products is high.

Mr. Apom said the limited stock had already been distributed to the retailers, but admitted this was not enough.

He however gave the assurance that, the company’s engineers were working around the clock to fix the problem and expressed the hope that the situation would improve in the coming days – to address the shortfall.

–

Source: GNA

The post Shortage of Golden Tree chocolate hits Kumasi ahead of Val’s Day appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Tickets for the romantic couple breakfast programme, have already been sold out. The programme seeks to strengthen the institution of marriage, as couples are expected to dine, wine and discuss love related issues.

Citi News’ Programmes Manager, Jessica Opare Saforo, indicated that a lot of efforts have gone into making sure it runs smoothly.

“I think that a lot of efforts have gone into making sure it runs smoothly. We have the host of Famlife being the resource persons for this particular event and they are all well versed.”

The crew of Famlife, a family oriented programme that airs each Saturday morning on 97.3 FM, will be on hand to provide useful discourses like recapturing romance, ten things that will keep your love tank full, cracking the marriage code, what they don’t tell you before marriage and combating marriage meltdown.

Although this 2017’s alentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday, it has become necessary that the event is scheduled for the weekend to enhance patronage.

–

By: Philip Lartey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Val’s Day: Citi FM’s ‘Keeping Love Alive’ comes off tomorrow appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.