Blog Entry: Arto Almer, Purchasing Director, Cloetta Fazer Sweden AB, and Päivi Ranta-Ropo, Group Quality Manager, Purchasing, Cloetta Fazer Confectionery Ltd.
After an intensive week in Ghana it is time to summarize our highlights of the trip:
-since we never had been in any African country before we were surprised at the warmness and openness of Ghanaian people we met during our trip. The love of Ghana increased every day and most probably some day we will return back
-it was very exiting to see the cocoa farm and the farmer field school they have set up in middle of cocoa trees. We are convinced that the efforts done so far will bear fruit for the farmers. Just by showing up the WCF delegation with representatives from almost all over the world will encourage them to continue their important work.
-The big contrasts in the Ghanaian society were clearly seen every day. One day we started in Kumasi with meeting of Ashanti king and we ended up in the evening darkness to visit a hard working woman. With the earnings of soap making she has been able to send her children to school.
-One important issue on the trip was the possibility to exchange ideas and impressions with other participants around the whole chocolate world.
Photo: Arto Almer and Päivi Ranta-Ropo