The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board, Hon Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has been honoured by the Chiefs of the Akwapim Mampong Traditional Area and conferred with the title, Cocoa Boafopa.

The award was conferred on him during the grand durbar of chiefs and people of the area to climax this year’s Ohum Festival for his contribution to strides made in the Ghana cocoa sector.

The Cocobod CEO is credited with spearheading the introduction of several laudable interventions to increase productivity aimed at improving the living standards of cocoa farmers.

Experts say the successful implementation of the Productivity Enhancement Programs (PEPs) significantly contributed to the attainment of the recent cocoa production record of over 1.045 million metric tonnes.

Osabarima Kwame Otu Dartey III, commended the efforts of Hon.  Aidoo and reminded him of Akwapim Mampong Traditional Area’s pioneering role in the cocoa sector for which they deserve more investment in cocoa projects within the area.

He cited the Jubilee Cocoa Project as one major project that needed urgent attention to turn around the economic fortunes of the area.

Deputy Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board in charge of Operations, Dr. Emmanuel Opoku, who represented the CEO at the function, expressed his appreciation to the chiefs and people for honouring his boss.

Dr. Opoku told the chiefs that a proposal to turn the Jubilee Cocoa Project into a cocoa museum was before the Board of Directors of Cocobod for consideration. A proposal for the establishment of a tertiary educational fund for research into the cocoa sector is also under consideration.

He said COCOBOD would continue to invest in projects to build local capacity in an effort to industrialise the cocoa sector.

As part of his contribution to the development of the area, the COCOBOD chief made a personal donation towards the building of the chief’s palace.

The board also presented cocoa products and other  items towards the celebration of this year’s Ohum Festival.