African cocoa, coffee farmers’ group appoints seven leaders

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has appointed seven new leaders to its board and country leadership structure to strengthen the development of the cocoa and coffee sectors across the continent.

The appointments, announced in a statement on Friday, are aimed at expanding the association’s continental representation and strengthening its advocacy for smallholder cocoa and coffee farmers in Africa.

The Global President of COCEFAAA,  Adeola Adegoke, announced the appointments, which cover Ethiopia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Cameroon.

The newly appointed officials include Dr. Liliane Kabondo Mbazumutima, a global public health leader, and Mr. Raymond Katta, Executive Chairman of the Sierra Leone Produce Monitoring Board, as Board Members.

Others are Mr. Abel Ayele Bunaro, Founder and Managing Director of BunAroma Specialty Coffee, appointed Country Director for Ethiopia; Mr. Jack Ndirangu, Chairman of Kahiraini Coffee Factory, Country Director for Kenya; and Mr. Didan Sankoh, Director of Operations and Programmes at the Sierra Leone Produce Monitoring Board, Country Director for Sierra Leone.

Also appointed are Mr. James Kwarteng, Co-founder of Apocco Farms Limited, as Deputy Country Director for Ghana, and Prince Mahamadou Mamoudou Almed, President of the Meme Cocoa Buyers Association (MECOBA), as Deputy Country Director for Cameroon.

Speaking on the appointments, Adegoke said: ‘The expansion of the leadership structure was part of the association’s efforts to strengthen its presence across Africa and advance the interests of cocoa and coffee farmers.

“The new appointees would bring valuable experience, industry knowledge and leadership capacity to the organisation, particularly in promoting the growth and sustainability of the two agricultural value chains.”

According to him, the appointments are expected to improve coordination among stakeholders, deepen country-level engagement and strengthen its ability to address challenges confronting smallholder farmers.

He expressed confidence that the new leaders would contribute to its vision of building a stronger continental platform for farmers and other stakeholders in the cocoa and coffee industries.

He also congratulated the appointees and urged them to bring their experience and expertise to bear on its programmes and activities.

He said the appointments mark another step in COCEFAAA’s efforts to strengthen its continental leadership network and promote the development of Africa’s cocoa and coffee sectors.