THE Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) has embarked on 2.2-million euro expansion programme to increase its processing capacity from the current 22,000 tonnes to 65,000 tonnes within the next two years.

Consequently, the company is upgrading its machinery in the confectionery line while a new chocolate spreadline has also been installed.

Dr P.K. Awua, Managing Director of CPC, made this known in Tema when he handed over eight gold and sliver awards won by its Golden Tree Chocolate range and its All Time Instant Drinking Chocolate in this year’s Monde (World) Selection Award Competition.

The monde award was instituted by the International Institute of Quality Selection based in Brussels, Belgium for impartial analysis of products that guarantee international quality labels.

The competition attracts reputable food and drink manufacturing companies around the world and CPC has won in previous competitions since 1998.

Dr Awua pointed out that the exceptional performance of CPC products in the competitions, is a confirmation of the quality of the company’s products.

Unfortunately, he said, while the company is winning international awards, Ghanaians have greater preference for imported chocolates.

The managing director also announced plans to float 25 per cent of the company’s holding to the public through the stock exchange very soon.

He appealed to all Ghanaians to support the company by patronising its products and investing in its future operations.

The managing director said the company is an example of a viable public institution which offers employment both directly and indirectly to several Ghanaians and have been paying taxes as well as dividends regularly to the government.

The Chairperson of the CPC Board, Ms Cecilia Dapaah, who received the awards on behalf of the board and workers, said the company has proved beyond all reasonable doubt that given prudent management, a state-owned institution can match any successful multinational institution.

She said, it is the aim of the board to formulate policies that will ensure that CPC achieves greater profits in order to contribute its quota to the national economy.

Ms Dapaah announced that the company has been selected for the Exporter of the Year 2001 by the Ghana Export Promotion Council.