International non-governmental development organisation, Solidaridad West Africa, is offering 1-year affiliation for the winner of Best Journalist in Cocoa Reporting Award at the upcoming Ghana Cocoa Awards 2019 (GCA).

“The winner would be affiliated to Solidaridad for the next one year and have the opportunity to access cocoa project areas to learn lessons and gain insights into sustainable approaches Solidaridad is deploying to help improve the wellbeing of farmers”, says Bossman Owusu, Head of Communication, Solidaridad West Africa.

Critical Partners of Cocoa Industry

The Solidaridad affiliation for the best cocoa reporting journalist is part of a partnership deal with VC Media Ghana, organisers of GCA to reward excellence in reportage on cocoa.

“We see journalists as critical partners for spotlighting issues that affect the lives of cocoa farmers. Through the work of journalists, farmers and producers have received key interventions from governments and development partners”, Bossman Owusu explained.

“Thus, as we recognize the efforts of actors in the cocoa value chain at the maiden Ghana Cocoa Awards, Solidaridad thinks that journalists should also receive their fair share of the recognition. We are very happy to sponsor the category”, added Bossman Owusu.

Rewarding Excellence

GCA is an excellence motivation initiative for the Ghana Cocoa industry organised by VC Media with support from strategic industry partners including ECOM Ghana, Solidaridad West Africa, The Hershey Company and the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).

“Honouring the hardworking actors and true heroes of Ghana’s economic backbone is very relevant in appreciating their contribution to the economy and national development, and to spur them on for even greater achievements in production, processing, innovation, sustainability and consumption promotion”, said Kojo Hayford, Founder and Events Director, Ghana Cocoa Awards.

“I commend the industry regulator Ghana Cocoa Board immensely for an excellent work done over the years in achieving and maintaining the production of premium quality cocoa beans that Ghana is respected and celebrated for all over the world.

The Ghana Cocoa Awards is a novel initiative that seeks to recognise and highlight outstanding achievements within Ghana’s cocoa industry and value chain.

Nominations opened from 20th September and due to close on 31st October 2019. Over thirty award categories cutting across production, agro-input, producing buying, haulage and logistics, processing, manufacturing and sustainability, leadership and media are up for grabs.

Entries for Best Journalist in Cocoa Reporting may be submitted on the official event website www.GhanaCocoaAwards.com/nominate.

The GCA Awards Gala Night is slated for 22nd November 2019 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.