The Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited (CMC) has officially launched a 24-hour operational model. This new system aims to significantly improve the movement of cocoa across Ghana’s logistics and export value chain.
This initiative represents a major step towards implementing President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme. The model introduces three core pillars: Offload 24, Load 24, and Export 24. These pillars will ensure critical cocoa operations continue beyond traditional working hours, addressing long-standing inefficiencies.
Ghana’s cocoa sector is a cornerstone of its economy, contributing significantly to export earnings and rural livelihoods. Historically, operations at CMC Take-Over Centers in locations like Tema, Kumasi, and Takoradi followed conventional working hours. This often led to delays for trucks and documentation, even as ports and shipping lines operated continuously. This new model seeks to remove such bottlenecks, aligning CMC’s operations with the broader logistics ecosystem. The move is crucial for maintaining Ghana's competitive edge in the global cocoa market, which faces increasing demand and supply chain pressures.
Speaking at the launch, Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, the Managing Director of CMC, stated, “The world does not stop at 5 p.m. or 4 p.m., and neither should Ghana’s cocoa ambition.” He emphasized that the initiative is a practical contribution to the President’s economic vision. Mr. Dogbey highlighted that the 24-Hour Economy focuses on organizing productive activity across multiple shifts. This ensures infrastructure and human resources generate economic value beyond the traditional workday, rather than requiring individuals to work continuously for 24 hours.
The implementation of this 24-hour model is expected to have several key implications. It should reduce truck turnaround times, increase volumes handled, and improve documentation efficiency. This will ultimately enhance shipment performance and overall operational effectiveness. Local cocoa processing factories will benefit from continuous supply, allowing them to utilize their production capacity more efficiently. The initiative also calls for continued collaboration among stakeholders, including Licensed Buying Companies, processing companies, shipping lines, and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. This integrated approach is vital for the model's success and for strengthening Ghana's position as a leading cocoa exporter. The CMC will closely monitor measurable performance indicators to ensure the program delivers tangible results.
The 'Offload 24' component will allow CMC to receive cocoa from Licensed Buying Companies around the clock. This will reduce truck queues and congestion at CMC facilities. 'Load 24' will support the supply of cocoa to local processing factories beyond conventional hours. This enables processors to make more efficient use of their installed production capacity. Finally, 'Export 24' will extend activities like cocoa inspection, stuffing, sealing, and documentation. This ensures export processes align with vessel schedules and port operations, preventing delays in international shipments. These operational commitments are designed to address longstanding inefficiencies within the cocoa logistics chain. The CMC believes extending its operational capacity will remove bottlenecks that occur when one section of an otherwise active logistics chain closes. This strategic shift aims to make Ghana's cocoa supply chain more robust and responsive to global market demands.