Cadbury Cocoa Partnership is looking to bring photovoltaics to West Africa by installing solar lanterns and panels in Ghana. The scheme will see US$780,000 invested in small-scale solar technology for cocoa farmers and rural communities in some of the country's most impoverished regions.
With the help of 10,000 solar lanterns, Cadbury will create a sustainable and environmentally-friendly cocoa supply chain in 160 cocoa farming sites. The equipment is valued at around US$600,000 and is being sent to farmers in the Asunafo North, Amansie Central, Amansie West, Bibiani-Anwhiaso-Bekwai and Suhum Kraboa-Coaltar districts.
Solar panels will also be sent to 22 schools, two medical clinics and three food-processing sites to help with energy generation.
Managing director of Cadbury Ghana, James Boateng, said the US$780,000 solar project was part of a larger effort on Cadbury's part to help address social, economic and environmental issues in cocoa growing communities, “so that livelihoods will improve, while we help secure sustainable cocoa supplies for Ghana and our company.”
