The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Ransford Abbey, has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Ghana’s cocoa sector through value addition, following a high-level visit to the KOA Impact processing facility at Achiase in the Eastern Region.

The visit, which included the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Simone Giger, highlighted growing collaboration between Ghana and Switzerland in promoting sustainable and innovative cocoa processing.

At the centre of discussions was the extraction and processing of “cocoa sweatings” — a nutrient-rich liquid byproduct traditionally discarded during fermentation — now being converted into premium cocoa juice.

The initiative is creating new income streams for farmers while preserving the quality of cocoa beans.

Dr. Abbey described the innovation as a significant step toward repositioning Ghana within the global cocoa value chain.

“This initiative is a game-changer for our farmers.

It ensures that every part of the cocoa fruit contributes to economic value and improved livelihoods,” he said, adding that expanding such projects across cocoa-growing regions remains a top priority.

The engagement also focused on scaling production, attracting foreign direct investment, and expanding the range of cocoa-based products beyond raw bean exports. Officials noted that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to industrialise the sector and maximise returns for farmers.

Ambassador Giger commended the Achiase facility as a model of sustainable agro-processing and a strong example of Swiss-Ghanaian partnership.

She noted that such innovations position Ghana as a leader in environmentally responsible cocoa production.

The KOA Impact facility uses solar-powered technology to process cocoa pulp, generating employment opportunities while promoting green industrial practices within local communities.

COCOBOD says it intends to replicate the model across all cocoa-growing regions, as part of a wider strategy to shift Ghana’s cocoa industry from raw exports to full value-chain development.