Co-funding the programme through a donation of $31,500 (€22,350), ADM said the goal is to provide selected students with post-secondary education in the cocoa processing and wider agricultural industry.
Graduates will be qualified for roles such as logistics and warehousing technicians.
“As Ghana becomes an increasingly important producer of cocoa, the need for effective logistics at every step of the supply chain is crucial to the Ghanaian cocoa industry,” said Fredericq.
“The educational programme’s varied curriculum allows for a profound understanding of challenges along the supply chain and encourages students to work toward sustainable solutions.”
After evaluating the Ghanian pilot scheme, ADM and its partners, WCF and Safmarine & Knust, will decide whether to expand it within the country or roll out similar programs in other cocoa producing regions, Alain Fredericq, director, Global Business Development told ConfectioneryNews.com.
Sustainability programmes
“The programme complements ADM’s other sustainability programs to strengthen the organisation of farms and farmers, and is another example of ADM’s commitment to the communities in which we operate around the world,” said Fredericq.
The ingredients supplier has other commercial and community commitments in Ghana, for example, the firm has a cocoa processing facility in Kumasi, Ghana.
The firm also says it is engaged in several community outreach programs. ADM claims to be a “key partner” in the Sustainable Tree Crops Programme, the Cocoa Livelihoods Programme and WCF’s ECHOES Alliance, groups which aim to educate cocoa farmers about labour standards, business practices and farming methods.