Board Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, has beckoned investors to identify fertilizer needs of specific cocoa districts to establish factories to supply farmers with the product.

According to him, there were numerous investment opportunities in the cocoa sector under the New Cocoa Sector Transformational Agenda of COCOBOD.

Speaking at a three-day West African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Conference in Accra, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said government and COCOBOD were creating an enabling environment for investors who intend to venture into the manufacture of chemical formulation and fertilizer plants in Ghana.

“We therefore invite fertilizer and other input manufacturers, traders, suppliers and investors herein gathered to align your programmes to support efforts of government, the Board and management of COCOBOD for our mutual benefits,” he stated.

The board chairman appealed to investors to seek independent appraisal of the viability of specific areas of interest, as well as understanding the laws, by-laws and regulations governing the cocoa sector.

Noting that the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry looked bright with several prospects, he said the opportunity also exists for potential investors to establish modern commercial cocoa plantations.

“The Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana is available to provide the necessary advisory services on suitability of soils and general cocoa agronomy to potential investors.”

He added that government and managers of the cocoa industry were harnessing all resources, human, financial and material towards its viability.

“Cocoa industry plays an important role in the provision of employment for about 800,000 farm families in the country. It also serves as a major source of foreign exchange and government revenue for the provision of socio-economic infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools,” he stated.

Attracting more than 250 participants from 43 countries worldwide to discuss how farmers could obtain the right fertilizer at the right time and for the right price, the confab also gave some agro-chemical manufacturing companies the opportunity to showcase their products and network.

The forum was organised by the Commodities Research Unit, a leading global metals, mining and fertilizers analysis and consultancy business in collaboration with the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership.