The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has appointed seven new officials to its board and country leadership structure as part of efforts to strengthen the cocoa and coffee industries across the continent. The appointments, announced in a statement on Friday, are expected to expand the association’s presence in Africa and improve its advocacy for smallholder cocoa and coffee farmers.
The Global President of COCEFAAA, Adeola Adegoke, disclosed the appointments, which cover Ethiopia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Cameroon.
Among those appointed to the board are Dr Liliane Kabondo Mbazumutima, a global public health leader, and Raymond Katta, Executive Chairman of the Sierra Leone Produce Monitoring Board.
Other appointments include Abel Ayele Bunaro, Founder and Managing Director of BunAroma Specialty Coffee, who will serve as Country Director for Ethiopia.
Jack Ndirangu, Chairman of Kahiraini Coffee Factory, has been named Country Director for Kenya, while Didan Sankoh, Director of Operations and Programmes at the Sierra Leone Produce Monitoring Board, will oversee the association’s activities in Sierra Leone as Country Director.
In Ghana, James Kwarteng, Co-founder of Apocco Farms Limited, has been appointed Deputy Country Director. Prince Mahamadou Mamoudou Almed, President of the Meme Cocoa Buyers Association (MECOBA), will serve 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 continental presence and promote the interests of cocoa and coffee farmers.
He noted that the new officials bring valuable industry experience, professional knowledge and leadership skills that would support the growth and sustainability of Africa’s cocoa and coffee sectors. According to him, the appointments are also expected to improve coordination among industry stakeholders, strengthen engagement at the country level and help address challenges facing smallholder farmers.
Adegoke expressed confidence that the new leaders would play important roles in advancing the association’s vision of building a stronger continental platform for farmers and other stakeholders in the cocoa and coffee industries.
He congratulated the appointees and encouraged them to contribute their experience and expertise to the organisation’s programmes and activities.
The latest appointments mark another step in COCEFAAA’s efforts to expand its leadership network and support the long-term development of Africa’s cocoa and coffee industries.
