Olam Cocoa Ghana, one of the largest private Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) in Ghana’s cocoa sector, has hosted and led discussions with key stakeholders on topical issues of concern to the industry at its annual Managers’ Conference.
The 2021 edition of the Managers’ Conference was organized under the theme ‘Delivering FY21 in the face of current industry dynamics’.
The weeklong programme, which opened on September 2, 2021 at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Kasoa, brought together some 500 managers of the business drawn from across Olam Cocoa’s operational areas. Industry players and influencers, as well as government officials, were on hand to discuss trends and developments in the cocoa sector and how best the company could position itself favourably.
The country head of Olam Ghana, Mr. Amit Agrawal during a session with staff said, “Olam Ghana has, within a short period, birthed six different businesses which are all leading in market share. Olam is the fifth-largest company in Ghana, according to the latest Ghana Club 100 rankings, based on the size of revenue.”
He indicated that these milestones have been possible because of hard work, good processes, and the continuous promotion of the welfare of staff. On the impact of COVID-19 on the company, Mr. Agrawal said because the business had digitalized its operations and had already become paperless and cashless before the advent of COVID-19, product sales and procurement of produce have been least affected by the pandemic.
Participants of the conference were taken through various procurement courses such as how to achieve their FY21 targets with zero outstanding and how to maximize value. There were also non-procurement courses like financial management, project management, communication and presentation skills to equip employees for the main crop season.
Addressing participants at a plenary session the conference, the Chief Executive of Ghana COCOBOD, Mr. Joseph Aidoo said climate change and COVID-19 have impacted the cocoa industry extensively.
Mr. Aidoo indicated that cocoa trees need specific weather conditions to enable them to bear healthy cocoa pods, and therefore as soon as the climatic balance is disturbed, cocoa cultivation, livelihoods of cocoa farmers, as well as the quality of chocolate is negatively affected.
Mr. Aidoo charged stakeholders in the industry to lead in the campaign for afforestation, good agricultural practices and adherence to COVID-19 protocols to safeguard the industry.
Other activities for conference participants included a medical screening exercise, sports, and an excellence award ceremony during which employees were awarded for exceptional performance.