The Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited (CMC) has launched a comprehensive 24-hour operational model to improve the movement of cocoa across the logistics and export value chain. The initiative, launched by CMC Managing Director Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, aims to address inefficiencies in the cocoa logistics chain.
Launch of 24-Hour Cocoa Operations
The 24-hour operational model, launched under three pillars: Offload 24, Load 24, and Export 24, is part of CMC's contribution to President John Dramani Mahama's 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme. The launch brought together representatives of government, COCOBOD, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), cocoa processors, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Meridian Port Services, the Ghana Revenue Authority, shipping lines, hauliers, international cocoa buyers, the Quality Control Company, and other stakeholders.
CMC Managing Director Wisdom Kofi Dogbey said the initiative marked a significant change in CMC's approach to cocoa logistics, warehousing, processing support, and exports. He explained that the 24-Hour Economy does not require individual employees to work continuously for 24 hours but involves organising productive activities around multiple shifts to enable infrastructure, human resources, and other assets to generate economic value beyond the traditional working day.
Improving Efficiency in Cocoa Logistics
Under Offload 24, CMC will receive cocoa from LBCs around the clock to reduce truck queues, waiting periods, and congestion at its facilities. Load 24 will facilitate the supply of cocoa to local processing factories beyond conventional working hours, while Export 24 will extend cocoa inspection, stuffing, sealing, documentation, and shipment preparation to align with vessel schedules and port operations.
CMC Managing Director Wisdom Kofi Dogbey said the three pillars were operational commitments aimed at addressing inefficiencies in the cocoa logistics chain. He explained that the new model would keep critical sections of the cocoa movement chain operational beyond traditional working hours, particularly with the commencement of the new cocoa season.
Strengthening Logistics Integration
The implementation of the programme will be monitored using indicators including truck turnaround times, volumes handled, documentation efficiency, shipment performance, safety, quality, and overall operational performance. CMC Managing Director Wisdom Kofi Dogbey urged LBCs to make use of evening delivery windows and cocoa processing companies to schedule trucks beyond daylight hours.
He also urged shipping lines to provide gate-in windows that aligned with CMC's extended operating schedule, while appealing to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, security agencies, and other stakeholders to support the initiative. CMC expects the model to shorten the period between cocoa receipt, loading, and export, improve support for domestic processing, and strengthen Ghana's competitiveness in the international cocoa market.
A New Operational Phase for CMC
CMC Managing Director Wisdom Kofi Dogbey commended the implementation committee, chaired by CMC Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations Jamal Konneh, as well as the company's Board, Management, staff, and COCOBOD leadership for supporting the initiative. He said the new operating model demonstrated Ghana's readiness to improve productivity, accelerate exports, and compete more effectively in the global cocoa trade.
The launch of Offload 24, Load 24, and Export 24 marks a new operational phase for CMC as it seeks to improve efficiency in the cocoa value chain and contribute to the Government's 24-Hour Economy agenda.
Source: Joy Online
