Area Students Learn All About Cocoa at Embassy of Ghana
January 25, 2007
Contact:
Susan Smith
(703) 790-5012
Susan.smith@worldcocoa.org
World Cocoa Foundation and Partners Embark on a Cocoa Educational Workshop for Schools in the Washington, D. C., Metropolitan Area
Washington, D.C, January 25, 2007- Tomorrow more than 250 Washington-area high school and middle school students and their teachers will learn all about cocoa and its origins at a Cocoa Educational Workshop at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C. The event is being organized by the World Cocoa Foundation in partnership with the Let’s Go Africa Foundation and hosted by the Embassy of Ghana.
In a speech on behalf of the Ambassador of Ghana, His Excellency Dr Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, by Colonel Kwame Opong-Kyekyeku of the Embassy of Ghana, he will recognize the efforts being made by the government of Ghana to strengthen the cocoa industry by supporting the cocoa communities who cultivate this special crop.
The event will include presentations on the origins of the cocoa, an overview of the industry in Ghana and a demonstration of cocoa harvesting in a Ghanaian village using real cocoa pods and beans.
The students will explore the botanical source of chocolate and learn about the anatomy of the cocoa tree, the lives of cocoa farmers in Ghana and methods of cultivation and processing of cocoa in Ghana. They also will learn about the efforts of World Cocoa Foundation partners including Africare, Winrock International, Let’s Go Africa Foundation, Africa Society, AED, the Academy for Educational Development, the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African Art, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and IFESH, the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help to celebrate African culture and assist cocoa farming communities.
The government of Ghana has been active in engaging in programs and partnerships to improve the lives of cocoa farming families, because cocoa is a main source of income for the Ghana economy. “Since chocolate is a favorite treat of many around the world, it is important to understand and value the hard work of the farmers who grow cocoa and efforts of government and institutions such as the World Cocoa Foundation to raise farmer incomes, encourage responsible, sustainable cocoa farming and strengthen communities,” said Colonel Opong-Kyekyeku.
The World Cocoa Foundation
Established in 2000, the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) plays a leading role in strengthening the partnership between industry and cocoa farmers. With nearly 60 member companies, the WCF supports a range of economic, social and environmental programs in cocoa communities in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. For more information, visit: http://www.worldcocoafoundation.org/
Let’s Go Africa Foundation
The Let's Go Africa Foundation is a non-profit organization created to improve the lives of disadvantaged populations in the inner cities of America and African Countries by promoting social and economic development and cultural exchange. For more information visit: http://www.letsgoafrica.org.
8320 Old Courthouse Road
Suite 300
Vienna, Virginia 22182
Telephone: 703-790-5012
FAX: 703-790-0168
Bill.Guyton@worldcocoa.org
Robert.Peck@worldcocoa.org