As part of the agreement, the two institutions will also support CAA farmer households in building economically viable cocoa production systems and supply segregated cocoa beans from CAA farmers.

The first phase of the MoU, which?is expected to last between three to five years, was necessitated by the interest of Ritter Sport in economic, social and environmental sustainability to create a lasting impact on cocoa producers, their household and environment.

Speeches

At a short ceremony to ratify the agreement, the Chairman of the Board of Ritter Sport, Mr Alfred Ritter said his company “wanted to produce high quality chocolate with the sustainably grown cocoa from Abrabopa members.”

“Ritter Sport also intend to build a direct and long-term relationshp with our suppliers and so that we can have access to quality cocoa products for quality cocoa products.”

For his part, the Executive Secretary of the CAA, Mr Eliseus Opoku-Boamah, expressed delight about the opportunity to provide Ritter Sport a proposition to secure their source of supply of quality cocoa while partnering in investments in impact.

“We believe our advanced farm management system, procurement of traceable and identity preserved quality cocoa, supply chain transparency, strong marketing instrument, delivery mechanisms for upstream engagement of customers and collaboration on joint marketing communication make us indeed the ideal partners to support Ritter Sport in this regard,” he said.

The Chairman of the Council of CAA, Mr Ismail Pomasi said for cocoa farmers who are members of CAA, that was not just a transaction but a partnership that would serve both institutions.

“We believe that this partnership will grow and possibly lead to other forms of strategic alliances in the coming years,” he added.

Ritter Sport

Ritter Sport is a family-owned major German international chocolate producing company with sales in over 100 countries worldwide.

It is the first large chocolate producing company which is sourcing 100 per cent sustainable produced certified cocoa products in Ghana.

CAA

Cocoa Abrabopa Association is a non-political and not-for-profit organisation made up of about 7,000 cocoa farmers who seek to improve their livelihoods through sustainable cocoa production.

It was founded in 2008 and it is one of the leading cocoa farmer based organisations in Ghana.

The Cocoa Abrabopa Association ensures sustainable cocoa production and all members are required to conform to specific social, economic, bio diverse and environmental, health and safety, traceable and transparent requirements.