WAMCO calls for support to rehabilitate Sekondi cocoa processing plant

Takoradi, March 12, – Dr Boakye Danquah, Deputy Managing Director of the West Africa Mills Company (WAMCO), has appealed to the government and potential investors to support the rehabilitation and revival of the company’s cocoa processing facility in Sekondi to enhance production.

WAMCO, established in 1949, was the first cocoa processing company in Ghana. The Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), currently holds a 40 per cent stake in the company.

The company operates two plants—WAMCO One and WAMCO Two—which together have a combined processing capacity of about 60,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually.

However, production has declined in recent years, with WAMCO Two, which accounts for about 30,000 metric tonnes of the total capacity, currently non-operational due to technical challenges and inadequate supply of raw materials.

Dr Danquah noted that reviving WAMCO Two would significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of Sekondi-Takoradi, particularly through the creation of both direct and indirect employment opportunities.

“With the government’s policy that about 50 per cent of Ghana’s cocoa should be processed locally, it becomes necessary for WAMCO Two to be revived. We therefore need support from government and investors to rehabilitate this facility,” he said.

Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, who paid a working visit to the facility, reiterated the government’s commitment to assisting the company to restore full operations.

“We will do everything possible to support WAMCO Two to get back on its feet,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Mr Frank Bednar, Managing Director of WAMCO, welcomed the government’s decision to implement the 50 per cent cocoa retention policy, describing local value addition as the most sustainable way to increase national revenue and create employment for young people.

He stressed that strengthening domestic cocoa processing capacity would help Ghana derive greater economic benefits from its cocoa industry while expanding opportunities along the value chain.

GHBUSS

March 12, 2026