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USAID and World Cocoa Foundation Sign Agreement to Support Education in West African Cocoa Communities
USAID and World Cocoa Foundation Sign Agreement to Support Education in West African Cocoa Communities
Published 10-10-07
Submitted by World Cocoa Foundation
VIENNA, VA - October 10, 2007 - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) have signed a cooperative agreement to launch a significant, multi-year partnership that will provide greater opportunities for thousands of young people in cocoa farming communities in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
The partnership, known as the ECHOES (Empowering Cocoa Households with Opportunities and Education Solutions) Alliance, brings together the WCF and its member companies with the USAID Africa Education Initiative and the governments of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Through teacher training, curriculum development and life skills training, the ECHOES Alliance will improve access to quality, relevant education for thousands of children living in cocoa farming communities in West Africa.
"The ECHOES Alliance is a major advance for education in rural Africa. The joining together of industry and governments is a partnership that promises genuine improvement in the lives of African children," commented Dr. Sarah E. Moten, chief, Education Division, USAID's Bureau for Africa.
Independent surveys identified education as a major challenge facing cocoa farming communities in West Africa. While recent government efforts have improved enrollment rates, three major problems confront cocoa farming communities:
The ECHOES Alliance will build upon and expand programs sponsored by the WCF, Cloetta Fazer, ED&F Man Cocoa, Kraft Foods, Mars Incorporated, the Norwegian Association of Chocolate Manufacturers, Olam International Ltd., Starbucks Coffee Company and The Hershey Company.
A multi-year effort, programs supported by the ECHOES Alliance will increase school attendance, raise the number of trained teachers, increase livelihood opportunities for young people and improve literacy levels.
The ECHOES Alliance will improve the quality and relevancy of education in cocoa farming communities by:
The Honorable Mrs. Angelina Baiden-Amissah, deputy minister of Education and Sports said "We in the government of Ghana look forward to this partnership with the ECHOES Alliance. This public-private collaboration will help develop useful and important models for relevant education in our agricultural communities."
"Cocoa farming families are the backbone of our economy and our nation, yet they face many challenges," said Ambassador Diabaté, with the government of Côte d'Ivoire. "We welcome the partnership with the World Cocoa Foundation and USAID because it will bring new ideas, energy and resources to our farmers to better face these challenges."
WCF members will support ECHOES participation in the Ivory Coast, working with the communities of Abengourou, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville, Alepé, Daloa and Gagnoa. USAID participation will complement WCF members' activities in Ghana focusing on Akrokeri, Bechem, Berekum, Kumasi and Sefwi Wiawso.
Established in 2000, the World Cocoa Foundation plays a leading role in facilitating public-private partnerships to benefit cocoa farming communities through training programs and research. WCF is an industry-supported, non-profit organization representing over 60 chocolate companies and trade associations around the world that account for over 65% of chocolate manufactured. Members are from Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia representing all components of the supply chain. Dedicated to the social and economic wellbeing of cocoa farmers in West Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the Foundation programs focus on raising farmer incomes, improving community wellbeing and supporting environmental sustainability.
For more information about the World Cocoa Foundation, or to find out how you can help support cocoa farming communities, contact Bill Guyton or Charlie Feezel at (703) 790-5012 or via e-mail at Bill.Guyton@worldcocoa.org or Charlie.Feezel@worldcocoa.org. Also, visit the WCF online at: www.WorldCocoaFoundation.org.
World Cocoa Foundation
World Cocoa Foundation
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is an international nonprofit membership foundation that promotes a sustainable cocoa economy by providing cocoa farmers with the tools they need to grow more and better cocoa, market it successfully, and make greater profits. WCF's membership includes more than 90 cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, processors, supply chain managers, and other companies worldwide. Member companies range in size from small and medium size firms to large international corporations and represent over 80% of the global cocoa market. For more information, visit www.worldcocoa.org.
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