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100 Ghanaian Communities Join Cadbury Cocoa Partnership on Cadbury's 100th Anniversary in Ghana

100 Ghanaian Communities Join Cadbury Cocoa Partnership on Cadbury's 100th Anniversary in Ghana

Published 02-06-09

Submitted by Cadbury

- February 6, 2009 - Cadbury plc today announces that the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership is now active across 100 Ghanaian communities, marking the 100th anniversary of cocoa trading with Ghana.

The Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, established last year in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, also announced the partners driving its community support at grassroots level in Ghana are CARE, Voluntary Service Overseas and World Vision.

Since its launch last year, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership has begun investing in Ghanaian farming as part of a ten-year £30 million commitment to secure the future of cocoa farmers and their communities.1 While Ghanaian cocoa trades at a premium due to its consistent high quality, the country's cocoa farming industry is facing increasing challenges ranging from the ever-present threat of crop disease to attracting the next generation of farmers.2

The Cadbury Cocoa Partnership's first year has seen a Ghana Board set up to oversee the programme which includes representatives from Ghanaian government ministries, farmer organisations and development specialists.

Cadbury Chief Executive Todd Stitzer is in Ghana this week to see for himself the work now underway across the 100 communities.

"I am delighted to be here to witness at first hand the progress made by the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership in its first year. It's particularly timely that we're also here 100 years after the Cadbury family bought its first cocoa harvest from Ghana," he said.

"The Partnership is still in its early days but, with the help of the Ghanaian President and organisations such as CARE, VSO and World Vision, I’m confident our work will help secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of thousands of Ghanaian cocoa farmers."

The 100 communities who have now joined the partnership have been identifying their main development needs, including the construction of new school buildings or forming Cocoa Youth Clubs to encourage the next generation to remain with agriculture, particularly cocoa farming.

In 2009 Cadbury Cocoa Partnership is extending its activities to focus on improving farm income levels by developing farmer education programmes that explore best cocoa management practices leading to high quality and increased yields. As well as seeking to make an immediate impact on farmers’ lives, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership is exploring carbon reduction techniques to secure more sustainable cocoa farming.

By 2018, Cadbury estimates it will have made a demonstrable difference to the lives of around half a million Ghanaian farmers.



"¨About the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership

In January 2008, the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership was established together with the United National Development Programme, local governments, farmers and communities. This ground-breaking partnership aims to secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of around a million cocoa farmers and their communities in Ghana, India, Indonesia and the Caribbean. Over ten years £45 million will be invested through the partnership, £30 million of which is allocated to Ghana, to improve farmer incomes, develop communities and build partnerships.

About Cadbury plc"¨

Cadbury plc is a leading global confectionery company with an outstanding portfolio of chocolate, gum and candy brands. It has number one or number two positions in over 20 of the world's 50 largest confectionery markets. Cadbury also has the largest and most broadly spread emerging markets business of any confectionery company. With origins stretching back nearly 200 years, Cadbury's brands include many global, regional and local favourites including Cadbury Dairy Milk, Creme Egg, Flake and Green & Black's in chocolate. The company also markets gum, including Trident, Clorets, Dentyne, Hollywood, Bubbaloo and Stimorol; and candy such ranging from Halls to Cadbury Eclairs and The Natural Confectionery Co. For more information visit www.cadbury.com

Cadbury first established links with Ghanaian cocoa farmers in 1908, and in 1909 began sourcing in earnest.  Today Ghanaian cocoa is the main source of the cocoa which the company uses globally.  Cadbury also has a Ghanaian operating unit, and markets the Richoco, Bournvita, Halls and Ahumka Ginger brands in Ghana, with operations headed by Managing Director, James Boateng.

About Ghana Cocoa:

Ghanaian cocoa trades at approximately 10% above the global market price due to its consistent high quality compared to other origins. The Ghanaian cocoa industry is regulated by the government's Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which oversees all elements of the cocoa chain. This includes:

  • licensing the buying companies that purchase the cocoa from the farmers

  • setting the minimum price

  • controlling the quality of the cocoa
The closed system helps to avoid farmers being exposed to the variances of the global market and also means that industry does not buy direct from Ghana cocoa farmers.


1A part of a global £45 million investment into cocoa sustainability

2Mapping Sustainable Production in Ghanaian Cocoa Production, August 2008 Institute of Development Studies and the University of Ghana. The study examines the current state of cocoa farming in Ghana, identifies the potential social and economic obstacles that may face the country's 720,000 cocoa farmers.

www.ids.ac.uk/index.cfm?objectid=C149291F-0358-F772-F9D3F7B67039A383
www.cadbury.com/ourresponsibilities/cadburycocoapartnership/Pages/mappingsustainableproduction.aspx

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