Ghana to establish cocoa processing plant in Rwanda

Ghana is collaborating with its sister African country to establish a chocolate production plant in Rwanda to boost trade and investment between the two countries.

As part of the partnership, Ghana will supply processed organic cocoa in a form of cocoa nibs or cocoa liquor as shall be determined.

Rwanda will also establish a formulation plant in Ghana to support production of organic, pyrethrum-based pesticides for crop protection, veterinary use and public health.

The arrangement will help cut transportation costs and bring affordable organic products closer to Ghanaian farmers.

Ariella Kageruka, head of the tourism and conversation department of the Rwanda Development Board, disclosed this on Saturday (19 June) as she announced recommendations springing from Ghana-Rwanda familiarisation tours between the two countries.

She said both countries have agreed to undertake collaborative research into pyrethrum and cocoa to ensure greater yields, to the benefit of farming communities in Rwanda and Ghana.

“In order to facilitate easier access to Rwandan and Ghana markets, we recommend urgent establishment of an MoU between the product registration and standards agencies of both countries,” Kageruka said.

Joint tourism packages

Between 14 and 20 March 2021 Ghanaian officials embarked on a familiarisation tour of Rwanda. A 32-member delegation of Rwandan officials also visited Ghana from 13-20 June 2021 to explore business opportunities.

The two countries have also agreed to forge partnerships between tourism stakeholders to develop Rwanda-Ghana joint packages for international tourism.

Other areas to explore include the creative arts industry, the travel and hospitality sector, education, culture and agriculture.

Nana Sarfo Kantanka, the special advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, said that Ghana and Rwanda were the proud products of great leadership, and pledged to maintain their common relationship to bring sustainable development to the people of both countries.

He said the policy direction to be spearheaded by both countries was critical to realising the full impact of their various partnerships in boosting trade and investment.

The special advisor called for support from stakeholders to enable the collaboration to succeed. He added that Ghana-Rwanda had set the tone for other African partnerships to follow.

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Afua Asabea Asare, the chief executive officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), said the collaboration between the two countries was the beginning of a journey to explore more business opportunities.

She called for commitment between the two countries to ensure that the partnership works, saying: “We need to operationalise these concepts to be fruitful.”

Akwasi Agyeman, the chief executive officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said the government had laid a good foundation and he urged the private- sector operators to make the partnership work.

Multi-destination tourism was necessary to position the African brand on the global map, he said.

Dr Aisa Krabo Kacyira, the Rwandan high commissioner to Ghana, commended Ghana for the warm reception the Rwandan delegation had received, describing it as a passionate moment to uphold the dignity of Africa.

She was confident that the collaboration will succeed to ensure the effective realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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