Olam Food Ingredients Ghana Limited (ofi), a supplier of cocoa ingredients and the foremost exporter of cashew in the industry, has held its annual Managers’ Conference – bringing together key stakeholders and players to discuss industry dynamics and best practices for a sustainable cocoa industry.
The 2022 edition of the ofi Managers’ Conference was held at Anagkazo campus at Akuapem Mampong, and is the first conference held after the company’s reorganisation into ofi. The company’s brand purpose, ‘To be the Change for Good Food and a Healthy Future’, was also the theme for this year’s conference.
The five-day programme took place from August 29 to September 3, 2022, and brought together over 400 managers from across the company’s operational areas as well as industry players to discuss trends, challenges, and developments in the cocoa sector, and how ofi can maximize its operations to increase value for its stakeholders.
Over the years, ofi has built a strong reputation for attracting industry experts who deliver practical and informative sessions to managers in preparation for upcoming cocoa crop seasons. The distinguished guest speaker was Chief Executive Officer of Ghana COCOBOD, Mr. Boahen Aidoo.
Speaking on the conference’s theme, ‘To be the change for good food and a healthy future’, Mr. Aidoo said the benefits of cocoa to our health are many; hence it behooves all stakeholders to ensure the crop’s sustainability. He said the cocoa swollen-shoot disease has affected a lot of farms in Western North and urged managers to be innovative in their teachings and interactions with farmers on good agricultural practices in promoting cocoa yield.
Mr. Aidoo said the current interest of COCOBOD is to pursue processing and develop artisanal processing of chocolate. He indicated that the processing industry worldwide generates more revenue from cocoa. He encouraged the leadership of ofi to expand its processing facility, Olam Cocoa Processing at Kaase; or consider building a new factory in Accra.
He mentioned some of the government’s other efforts in strengthening the industry: such as the rehabilitation of cocoa farms, distribution of subsidised fertilisers to farmers, and the cocoa hand-pollination exercise.
Mr. Eric Asare Botwe, the Country Head of ofi, commended the team for their hard work in the previous season even in the face of challenges. He assured employees of continued support to bolster their efforts in ensuring that ofi maintains its position as the leading Licensed Buying Company in Ghana’s cocoa sector for the 2022/23 season.
Mr. Asare-Botwe charged the team to make real the company’s purpose and the conference theme of ‘Being the change for good food and a healthy future.
The conference ended with an Excellence Awards ceremony to recognise outstanding employees. Other activities during the conference included sports activities and a medical screening exercise.
