The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has been honoured by the Chief of the Akwapim Mampong Traditional Area and conferred with the title, ‘Cocoa Boafopa’ for his contribution to historic strides within Ghana's cocoa sector.

The prestigious award was conferred during the grand durbar of Chiefs and People of the area to climax this year’s Ohum Festival. 

Hon Aidoo is credited with spearheading the introduction of several laudable interventions to increase productivity and improve the living standards of cocoa farmers.

Experts say the successful implementation of the Productivity Enhancement Programs (PEPs) significantly contributed to the attainment of the over 1.045 million metric tonnes of cocoa production record.

The Akwapim Mamponghene, Osabarima Kwame Otu Dartey III, while commending the efforts by Hon Aidoo, reminded him of the Akwapim Mampong Traditional Area’s pioneering role in the cocoa sector and called for more investment in cocoa projects within the area.

He cited the Jubilee Cocoa Project as one major project that needs urgent attention to turn around the economic fortunes of the area.

Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD in charge of Operations, Dr Emmanuel Opoku, who represented Hon Aidoo at the function, expressed appreciation to the Chiefs and People for honouring the Chief Executive. 

Dr Opoku assured the chiefs that a proposal to turn the Jubilee Cocoa Project into a Cocoa Museum is before the Board of Directors for consideration. He added that a proposal for the establishment of a tertiary educational fund for research into the cocoa sector is also under consideration.

He said COCOBOD would continue to invest in projects to build local capacity in an effort to industrialize the cocoa sector.

As part of his contribution to the development of the area, the COCOBOD Chief made a personal donation towards the building of the chief's Palace. The Board also presented cocoa products and other items towards the celebration of this year’s Ohum Festival.