Senior members of the Human Resource Department of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have held a retreat at Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), Tafo to brainstorm on best practices to enhance their performance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Mr. Ray Ankrah, Deputy Chief Executive In-Charge of Finance and Administration called on staff to give off their best in the discharge of their duties for the attainment of the core objectives of COCOBOD.

Mr. Ankrah said staff welfare is paramount to COCOBOD because it is their contribution, together with the hardworking cocoa farmers, that will turn around the fortunes of COCOBOD. He expressed management’s resolve to fully ensure that staff welfare is catered for. “There are brighter days ahead, so give off your best to bring about the much needed improvement in the cocoa sector”, he urged.

Mr. Francis A. Opoku, Director Human Resource/Solicitor Secretary stressed the need for staff to adhere to the established systems and processes by COCOBOD to ensure efficiency in the day-to- day administration of the Board. “The retreat is in line with finding better means of running COCOBOD and deepening structures for cocoa sustainability” he added.

Later, Mr. Ankrah was conducted round some facilities at the Institute by Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, Executive Director of the Institute and Mr. Lucius Cyprian Tenganze Zaukuu, Director of Administration.

At the New Products Development Unit (NPDU), Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Gyedu Akoto, Head of Unit indicated that the unit has developed a variety of new products that have been certified by the Food and Drugs Authority. The products include cocoa soap, cocoa butter lotion, shea butter lotion and soap, cocoa wine, cocoa jam and cocoa vinegar among others.