Stakeholders within the cocoa industry want government to create more free zone enclaves for manufacturing to increase value addition of raw materials before they are exported.

Ghana has struggled to add value to its raw materials including gold, and the country is said to have lost millions of dollars over the years because of the phenomenon.

Niche Cocoa Industry Limited, a local cocoa processing company is also pushing for government to invest in this regard by creating more free zone enclaves.

Speaking to Citi Business News at the sidelines of the 24th National Awards for Export Achievements 2013, organized by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), General Manager in charge of Quality, Research, Development and Sourcing at Niche Cocoa, Limited Paul Ayeh said this would help increase export earnings for the country. “Value addition as a developing country is key to the overall development of the country. It has diverse advantages it’s create employment and there are so many things the nation stands to gain. it is the wish of every Ghanaian to that as much as possible we minimize the export of the raw cocoa beans and add value before export. What I think should be done is more free zone enclaves should be created with tax rebates for Ghanaians which will attract investors in to the industry.”

Niche Cocoa Ghana Limited, an indigenous cocoa processor based in Tema was awarded the coveted prize, Exporter of the Year 2013 at 24th National Awards for Export Achievements.

Niche Cocoa Industry Limited with an ISO 22000:2005 certification is a local processing company that processes cocoa into cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa cake and also has organic processing certificate to process organic cocoa for export.

Niche Cocoa is a company wholly owned by Ghanaians and situated in the Tema Free Zones enclave. The Highly elated General Manager of Niche Cocoa Industry Limited Lloyd Ashiley spoke to Citi Business News after the awards disclosed that the company hopes to commence production of chocolate for the Ghanaian market by the end of 2014.

Mrs Twneboa-Boateng, who has been in the business for the past 20 years, was adjudged the Woman Exporter of 2013 receiving a cheque for GH¢1,000 in addition to a memento and citation from GEPA from Fidelity Bank Ghana. Forty-one other awards were also given to distinguished individuals and institutions for their contributions to the growth of the export business, which led to a rise in earnings of the sector.

Mr Gideon Quarcoo, Chief Executive Officer GEPA speaking to the awards said the Authority was collaborating with other institutions to address supply side constraints being faced by the export sector.

He said GEPA had also assisted a number of export companies to participate in international trade fairs in Europe, Asia and Africa to expand Ghana’s market presence in Germany, Cote d’Ivoire, Turkey and China.