Communities

Female cocoa farmers in Ghana benefit from Divine Chocolate’s literacy programme

14-Apr-2021 - Last updated on 15-Apr-2021 at 14:26 GMT

Comfort Opoku, from Kuapa Kokoo cocoa cooperative. Pic: Divine Chocolate

Divine Chocolate’s adult literacy and numeracy programme, which helps cocoa-growing communities in West Africa, has revealed it has so far helped 235 farmers to read and write - 171 of which are women.

The ethical brand, co-owned by farmers, began the programme in 2014 at Ghana's Kuapa Kokoo cooperative (which owns 20% of Divine Chocolate).

Fairtrade said the aim of the project is to increase basic literacy and numeracy skills, particularly among women, to support empowerment and engagement.

The programme has been a huge success and feedback from participants has been positive, with many keen to continue their learning journey, a spokesperson told ConfectioneryNews.

“One of the main motivations is to be able to assist children with homework. From a business perspective, the leading motivations include engaging in costing and pricing activities and reading the weighing scale when farmers send their cocoa to the recorder or purchasing clerk.”

Comfort Opoku, a recipient of the programme from Kuapa Kokoo, said: “Now I can read and write, this has really boosted my confidence, and if I go to sell my cocoa, I am able to read the scale by myself’.”

The brand has announced the programme will be rolled out over the next 12 months to three more communities in Ghana - Assin Breku, Assin Fosu and Cape Coast.

Divine’s mission is to champion the needs of farmers, improving their lives and those of their families, to create a fair and sustainable world.