The Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana) has described the introduction of a comprehensive 24-hour operational model by the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) Limited as a game changer for Ghana’s cocoa sector.

The model, built on three strategic pillars — Offload 24, Load 24 and Export 24 — is aimed at enhancing efficiency across the cocoa value chain.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Richard Kasu, said it has taken note of the historic reform and welcomes the bold and forward-looking decision by CMC.

According to the Foundation, the intervention represents one of the most significant operational reforms ever introduced into Ghana’s cocoa value chain in recent years.

“At a time when Ghana must urgently improve productivity, reduce operational bottlenecks, increase exports and strengthen domestic value addition, the decision by CMC to move beyond the limitations of the traditional working day deserves commendation and broad national support,” the statement said.

CFF-Ghana noted that cocoa is an international commodity traded across different time zones, and Ghana cannot continue to operate with systems that close while global markets and logistics networks remain active.

The Foundation outlined several potential impacts of the 24-hour model:

– Support for government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development agenda
– Acceleration of cocoa exports and improved shipment scheduling
– Reliable supply of cocoa to domestic processing factories
– Improved asset utilisation and productivity through shift-based operations
– Creation of additional employment opportunities across the cocoa logistics and value chain
– Strengthening Ghana’s competitiveness in the international cocoa market

“In our considered view, these are not merely administrative improvements; they represent a fundamental shift in how Ghana can organise its cocoa economy to meet the demands of modern international trade,” CFF-Ghana stated.

The Foundation commended the Managing Director of CMC, Dr. Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, the Board, Management and staff of CMC, as well as the leadership of COCOBOD and all stakeholders who contributed to the initiative.

It particularly recognised the move from policy discussions to practical institutional reforms that can produce measurable improvements in productivity and service delivery.

“To us, the success of Ghana’s cocoa sector will not depend only on increasing production. It will also depend on how efficiently the country stores, transports, processes, markets and exports its cocoa. The 24-hour operational model directly addresses this critical dimension,” the statement added.

CFF-Ghana called on all stakeholders — including Licensed Buying Companies, cocoa processors, transporters, shipping lines, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, security agencies, regulatory institutions and workers — to fully support the implementation of the new framework.

“A 24-hour cocoa economy cannot succeed if only one institution operates continuously. The entire value chain must increasingly coordinate its activities to eliminate avoidable delays and ensure that cocoa moves seamlessly from the producer and warehouse to the factory, port and international market,” it stressed.

The Foundation also urged CMC to establish clear performance indicators and regularly publish progress reports on key outcomes such as turnaround times, volumes handled, export efficiency, safety and service delivery.

Report by Bernard K Dadzie