A non-governmental organisation, African Business Centre for Developing Education (ABCDE) has observed this year’s International Youth Day with a conference for a cross-section of Ghanaian youngsters on Youth Innovation in chocolate-making.
The event held at the GNAT-Hall in Accra, Ghana’s capital, had the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum as the Guest of Honour with participants including youth groups and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and corporate organisations.
They engaged in discussions calling for on investments from all spheres of governance towards transforming the global food systems.
Other areas the conference touched on was the use of innovative ways for human and planetary health in Ghana as well as the challenges the youth are facing especially in the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID19).
The Chairman for ABCDE Africa, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, called on the youth to take advantage of the cocoa Industry since there are huge opportunities in there untapped.
“The whole world produces about 5 million tons of Cocoa a year which makes the chocolate industry worth about one hundred billion dollars a year, meaning that the value is in the processing. Value addition and not in the raw Cocoa bean,” he stated.
The former Trade Minister pointed out that Ghana can make a lot of money by adding value to cocoa, rather than concentrating only on producing cocoa for export.
“That is why I believe Ghana, Ivory Coast and other countries are striving very hard to gain greater control and own their cocoa production sector. So that they can also earn more revenue and do far more for their citizens,” he noted.
Dr. Spio-Garbrah said the ABCDE International Youth Day 2021 Conference targeted players in the chocolate-making industry and the youth who are interested in the chocolate making industry in Ghana.
“And it’s (chocolate industry) a place where you can get a job, and I think hopefully it’s an easier area than other areas where people are struggling to get jobs,” he disclosed.
The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum entreated the youth to take mentorship seriously and be innovative in order to be relevant in the coming years.
“We are looking for critical thinkers, 40 per cent of all jobs around the world are going to disappear in about ten years’ time and the only job that will be left will be the one that allows us to think. The robots are coming and artificial intelligence is around, things are changing so fast,” he emphasised.
Dr. Adutwum called on corporate Ghana to assist the government in producing young men and women who can be critical thinkers who can handle the emerging job market.
The event was sponsored by Cocoa Processing Company, Fan Milk Company Limited, Opportunity International, Rabito Clinic and Coca-Cola Company Limited.
- ACCE To Champion Cocoa Consumption On The African Continent - September 24, 2021
- ABCDE Africa Calls On Youth To Venture Into Chocolate Making - August 17, 2021