Dr. Kwasi Dartey Baah, chairman of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Lecture Committee (TMLC), has said that the committee will soon institute the Tetteh Quarshie Research and Development Fund for students pursuing Masters Programmes.

The chairman said this at the third Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Lecture held recently at the University of Ghana Business School under the theme, ‘Ghana’s Cocoa-Facts of the Value Chain.’

Dr. Dartey Baah stated that the research fund would be expanded to cover PhD students.

Dr. Dartey Baah further explained that in the wake of the recent global economic and climate challenges, Ghana must strategically maintain its competitive advantage in the production of quality cocoa beans.

This, according to the chairman, cannot be achieved without scientific research into the use of modern technology and equipment.

Dr Dartey Baah expressed worry about the declining trend in the agricultural sector since 2012 and reiterated that the implementation of the fund, besides immortalizing Tetteh Qaurshie, would go a long way to inspire the youth.

The CEO of ChoCho industries, Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng, lauded Tetteh Quarshie for introducing cocoa into Ghana.

This singular act has led to creation of jobs in the cocoa industry and the ChoCho industry is no exemption, he said.

The CEO said his outfit uses a lot of cocoa for the production of its products.

Alhaji Mustapha called on government and key stakeholders to initiate programmes that will inspire the youth to emulate Tetteh Quarshie.

The CEO also expressed worry about the free fall of the cedi and stressed the need for government to reduce the importation of agricultural goods.

The Deputy Chief Executive (OPS) of Ghana Cocoa Board, James Kofi Kutsoati, said the nation must honour its heroes for their good works.

He noted that Ghana’s cocoa industry has been the backbone of the economy for the last century.

There is no way the cocoa industry will collapse in the coming years, as it contributes substantially to tax revenue and foreign exchange earnings and provides employment to several households in the agricultural sector.

Mr. Kofi Kutsoati further said that the cocoa sub-sector alone accounts for an average of 2.5% of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supports the multi-billion global cocoa industry made up of chocolate and confectionery industries, commodity trade houses and other private sector companies.

A representative of Tetteh Quarshie Family called for a stake in the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm at Mampong.

He also appealed to COCOBOD to take steps to introduce a scholarship scheme for the family, as well as renovate his house at Mampong as a tourist destination.

Other guests at the function included Nana Otu Dartey, Chief of Mampong and Nana Adjei Damoah, Deputy National Chief Farmer.