Entry: Laura Ostenso, Leland International Fellow
The very first class of the World Cocoa Foundation Agricultural Logistics Programme graduated on November 19, 2011. The program, a partnership of World Cocoa Foundation, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), ADM, and Safmarine, provides 30 students in the greater Kumasi area with new knowledge and skills on the logistics side of the cocoa value chain. It is innovative work that helps not only to promote a sustainable cocoa economy in Ghana but also helps to strengthen education and expand opportunities for young people. The program has two phases: 1) academic; 2) internship. The graduation celebrated the students’ achievement of the academic phase.
For the academic phase, our graduates participated actively in the programme courses held at KNUST. They learned not only new content areas in agricultural logistics, but increased their confidence, skill level, and their belief in themselves. We at WCF/ECHOES are thankful to the students for their excellent work. The dedication to learning they exhibited during the first part of their exciting journey is inspiring, and now they are ready to apply the valuable knowledge to internships with industry partners and COCOBOD. We are confident the 30 graduates will do so with great success.
The graduation was an exciting event, with participation with the original partners and new partners from COCOBOD. Speeches delivered by each resounded with the hope the graduates themselves expressed throughout the program. Graduates also presented each of the partners with beautiful art work that they designed and executed together as a class. The class representative and the class valedictorian delivered speeches that exhibited their newfound confidence. Overall, it was a fantastic day for the students and all participants.
Special thanks are due to our partners at ADM and Safmarine, and especially to the leadership, professors, and instructors at KNUST School of Business. Without their dedication, time, and sacrifice (they spent their holidays to teach) the program could not have been the success it was!
Stay tuned for updates on the internship portion of the program!
