Kuapa Kokoo democracy in action

Sophi reports from Kuapa Kokoo’s AGM:

Kuapa Kokoo members gather for the AGM

This was my tenth AGM and this time I was delighted to be able to take my son Fenner with me to see democracy in action.

After much consultation, Kuapa Kokoo adopted a new constitution last year.  The biggest impact of the new constitution was to decentralise much of the power and week to week decision making to the 52 districts.  This meant that the AGM was the culmination of six months of elections. First at a village level, then at a District level and finally two representatives, a man and women gather at the AGM in Kumasi to elect the new National Executive Committee 

The AGM is an amazing feat of organisation. Getting 2600 representative from their villages to Kumasi, making sure they have all something to eat and drink, somewhere to stay and place to wash.  The venue was Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi, the atmosphere was like a party.  Everyone had their credentials checked and were issued with Delegate’s cards.  On the first evening they listen to the hustings, the candidates presenting their vision for Kuapa.

Sophi and Fenner with a kind Kuapa member who stopped the banner from flapping in the wind

Jamila spends a week with Divine

Jamila Hamze working with Divine

Before I came to do my work experience at Divine, I wasn’t aware that their main aim was to improve the livelihoods of smallscale cocoa farmers. For me, Divine Chocolate was just the 50p tasty chocolate bars sold in the school vending machines. But now I’ve met and worked with all you hard-working people. I realised that each of your jobs are unique and that you are all needed for Divine to succeed and run smoothly. I’ve completely enjoyed my work here from packing up chocolate to managing telephone calls. And even though I was nervous, and sounded glum at first (as Natasha said) I still enjoyed it because it was new and a bit of a challenge for me.

I’ve learnt so much about fair-trade, recognising the symbol and understanding its meaning. At school (St Marylebone C of E School), I don’t think that students are aware about Divine being fair-trade and its impact on the producers in developing countries. It would be great if everyone was aware of the need for Fair-trade and the importance of the FAIRTRADE Mark. Knowing that Divine is Fairtrade is great. To be honest it never occurred to me that chocolate, a product most people take for granted, could make such a difference. I think if everyone knew the amount of effort Kuapa Kokoo farmers put in, and the amount of effort staff at Divine Chocolate put in then people would realise how truly amazing Divine is. I also had the chance to cut out LOADS of press columns for Rosanna and was able to read so many great views on Divine.

During my first week, I watched some videos made in Ghana. Some made me laugh and some made me want to cry but it was great listening to their hopes and dreams, and inspiring to know that most of them wanted to be doctors and help others. One boy said he only wanted to marry a beautiful wife and have 10 kids! Their enthusiasm for their dreams of creating something new and imperishable was clearly shown as they spoke so animatedly and passionately. I surprisingly did enjoy tidying up the room downstairs for Tom because I had a chance to think as well as have a look at all the amazing products. If only my mum was there to see the result because then she might stop nagging at me to tidy up my room!

On day 4, I was typing up brainstorm notes for Charlotte, and I thoroughly benefited from reading the ideas. One point that stood out for me was “I wish that chocolate wasn’t thoughtless,” and it made me realise that people DO just go into supermarkets and buy what they feel like and not on what should be educated about the truth behind other brands.

I’m always on the lookout for fairtrade products now and I have made sure that my family are aware of it. It has all been such an amazing experience. I feel I’ve grown more confidence in certain areas and I’ve learnt so many things. I wish all the best for Divine Chocolate and will continue to tell people about all the ethical work that is done.

Jamila Hamze

Kuapa Kokoo in London for Divine Board meeting

Mr PCK Buah, President of Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union

We are here in London again for Board meetings – for Divine USA and Divine UK – along with all the other Board members.  This morning we were interviewed for a feature in the Greenbelt festival magazine. We got talking about the impact of the global ‘credit crunch’ both in Ghana and here in the UK.  For Kuapa Kokoo one of the big issues is the impact on interest rates – paying huge interest rates is having a significant effect on our profitability – and for the farmers, fuel, transport and food costs are all increasing. Here in UK it is also clear living costs are going up for everyone and people are cutting out non-essentials. We hope people still buy their favourite Divine chocolate – it is a little treat – but a very special one. It is the chocolate company we at Kuapa own, and if you buy it here, it is good news for farmers who are suffering rising costs too.  And how can you resist!  Mr Buah and myself like the Dark Divine best – because it’s got more of our pa pa paa cocoa in than all the others!

Mr K Aduse-Poku, Managing Director of Kuapa Kokoo Ltd

Mr PCK Buah and Mr K Aduse-Poku

Preparing for the Kuapa AGM

Christiana Ohene-Agyare, Kuapa farmer and National Executive member

Hello, my name is Christiana Ohene-Agyare. I am the recorder of Kwabeng Kuapa Kokoo Society and the National Treasurer of the Union.

Being a member of Kuapa Kokoo has taught me that whatever a man can do, a woman can also do and even better. The position of recorder is traditionally seen as a job for men but I realized I could perform that job better than the men and so I contested for it and won about 80% of the votes!

I have been appointed chairperson of the planning committee to organize this year’s Annual General Meeting which will be held on the 29th and 30th of July. This is a very big task but i am up to it! The AGM is the biggest event on the Kuapa Kokoo calendar! Over 2400 representatives from the various societies will be attending. We will also get the chance to decide on various projects for the coming year.

I must say that I have enjoyed a lot of benefits from Kuapa Kokoo and Fairtrade: Today, I am better able to look after my family- my two children are all in school. My daughter is in her final year at the Takoradi Polytechnic persuing a course in marketing. My son is also at the University of Science and Technology. I was able to put them in school because my income level has improved over the years.

My village Kwabeng also has a borehole that was built with Fairtrade funds. We do not have to walk long distance to fetch water anymore… there is clean portable water in the heart of the village.

I particularly like being a member of Kuapa Kokoo because it is very democratic. Every farmer is able to contribute their ideas when we have meetings. In Ghana, farmers are normally not consulted before decisions affecting us are taken. They just assume that farmer would like one thing or the other. Most of the time policy makers get it wrong! Kuapa Kokoo however, offers farmers an opportunity to decide for ourselves.

I am very proud to be a member of a cooperative that co-owns Divine Chocolate. Two members from Kuapa sit on their board. It is unique! I do not know any other organization in the world that has this kind of business relationship. People all over the world know Kuapa Kokoo because we co-own Divine and we are very proud of our chocolate company. I wish to entreat more people to buy Divine!

Why Divine and Kuapa Kokoo are unique

MD of Kuapa Kokoo ltd Kwasi Aduse-Poku in London this month

My name is Kwasi Aduse-Poku, I am the managing director of Kuapa Kokoo Ltd and I am here in the UK to attend the Divine Chocolate Ltd Board Meeting.

I am from a cocoa farming family and I myself have a cocoa farm. I was appointed as Managing Director back on the 1st September 2008. Previously I worked for the PBC (Produce Buying Company), the buying company of the Ghanaian cocoa board. Moving to Kuapa Kokoo has been both challenging and interesting. Kuapa Kokoo is unique among the Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) in being owned by the farmers who sell their cocoa to it. My role as MD is unusual as I am working with the people who are the workers, but also my employers.

I think the co-operative structure is working well here in Ghana – people perform better if they own the company.  It is a challenge running a cooperative of this size – you need to have enough working capital, and make enough profit to help maintain the structure and the principles. 

Having been in the USA for the Divine Chocolate Inc Board meeting there last week, and being here for the Board meeting and other appointments this week has really highlighted to me how important owning Divine is for Kuapa Kokoo.  We not only have our own chocolate company which gives us a stake in the chocolate market, and a Dividend, but also the opportunity to network across the industry worldwide – which gives us very useful knowledge and more influence.  The transparency of the relationship between Divine and its stakeholders makes the company truly unique.

I also appreciated the opportunity to see a little of Washington DC – in fact I got to see a bird’s eye view of the city from 500 ft up the Washington Monument!  I also visited the Washington Zoo and saw their elephants. Back in Ghana we can have problems with elephants trampling crops – the story goes that when elephants are going to water to drink they are very scared they will suck crabs up their trunks at the same time, so they trample hard before drinking to ensure they have crushed all the crabs!

Ghana is feeling the impact of the world economic crisis

Interesting to see Polly Toynbee of The Guardian has been out to Ghana to see for herself what this West African democracy has achieved – but how that effort is now at risk due to the world economic crisis.  Asking the IMF for help, she writes, historically comes with onerous conditions. See her article here

Wakefield Town Hall Reception

James and Anane were a good double act this evening at a well attended reception in Wakefield town hall.

James spoke very plainly about what Fairtrade has done for him, his family and his community; Anane focused on the dividends of owning a UK chocolate company, telling us all with a delighted grin that “we farmers own a chocolate company in the UK”, laughing as he invited the audience to enjoy this too.

We also heard a good rounding up speech from the marvellously named Bishop of Pontefract.

Kettlethorpe High School

We visited a lively group of Year 9s at Kettlethorpe High School this afternoon, with local Fairtrade campaigner Flo Bradley. Anane presented with a slideshow and we played Pa Pa Paa Bingo with them. Then we got the children to get into groups and come up with some ideas for promoting Fairtrade in the local media, and to come up with a message for Anane to take back home to Ghana.

While they were a fairly boisterous bunch of young people, they turned all sweet for the messages to Ghana. There were some quite moving ones:

“We are very grateful for the products you make. From now on, we won’t take chocolate for granted as we know how it has been made.”

“Good luck with the cocoa farming. Everyone hopes you keep getting the money and rewards you’ve earned.”

“He was a very good speaker and his chocolate is very nice. Also, pa pa paa!”

“The hard work put into making these products is high. So we value it.”

“We take chocolate for granted, we don’t know how hard the farmers have to work for it. We wish you all the best – thank you.”

“Thank for for coming to our school and explaining how you make chocolate. Good luck with the future.”

Farmers talk Fairtrade fashion with Sir Steve Redgrave

 

Friday 27th February

Having raced around both the capital and the Westcountry following a jam-packed schedule, Friday morning brought our two farmers some well-earned R&R. We took them sightseeing around the stunning Georgian city of Bath – but before stepping inside some ancient and modern aspects of the city centre we called in at Starbucks.  Here we had a photoshoot with our two ambassadors of Kuapa Kokoo, as Divine Chocolate, the company they co-own, also provides the cocoa for the chocolate bars sold in Starbucks.

 

Next stop was Jolly’s, Bath’s oldest department store.  The farmers were dazzled by the sheer volume and variety of goods on offer.  And Anane, initially bemused by some vibrating massage chairs, reflected that setting up shop with these novelty seats might make an excellent business venture back in Ghana.  No trip to this spa town is complete without a visit to The Roman Baths which we duly went to, following in the footsteps of the ancient founders of Aquae Sulis.

 

The small market town of Chippenham, just half an hour from Bath, was our afternoon destination, where we were hosted by the Chippenham Fairtrade Network.  James and Anane spent the afternoon awareness raising with local shoppers which will hopefully serve Chippenham well as it works to become a Fairtrade town. 

 

James and Anane in Chippenham

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was on to Bristol, a city famed for its imaginative embrace of the Fairtrade movement.  Not only has it been awarded Fairtrade City status, but the University of Bristol was the fifth university in the UK to be designated a Fairtrade University.  The city also has the highest awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK, with seven out of ten inhabitants recognising the logo (see www.bristolfairtradenetwork.org.uk for more info). 

So what better way to end their tour of the Westcountry than by being guests of honour at the Love Fashion, Live Fair Fashion Show held at Bristol Cathedral?  This spectacular event was organised by Bristol Fairtrade Network & Bristol Cathedral, in association with Oxfam and Christian Aid.  The farmers chatted to five times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave who has launched a Fairtrade fashion line at Debenhams.  They swapped stories about the benefits Fairtrade has brought to their fellow cocoa farmers and the cotton farmers Sir Steve met on his visit to Mali. 

Douglas Alexander and farmers

The two farmers were given a truly memorable experience during their whistlestop tour of the South West.  They will certainly have some stories to take to their friends & family back in Ghana.  But we’re only halfway through the Fairtrade Fortnight – next stop Newcastle and the North-East of England!   Posted by Rosanna

What a day in Croydon!

Divine, Kuapa Kokoo and the Co-op enjoying Croydon!

We had a fantastic day in Croydon being looked after by the Croydon Fairtrade Network and Croydon Council.  Anane and James were up early in the morning to catch the train from London Bridge. We were met by the wonderfully organised Chris Hunt dressed in a rather fetching traditional Ghanaian outfit and we were whisked over to the Croydon College for the first event.

 

Kuapa Kokoo farmers meet the Body Shop for a hand massage

Deborah Clement at Croydon Council organised a business breakfast with an audience of 30 local businesses from the Envibe database, an organisation set up by the council dedicated to making positive ethical change to businesses in Croydon.

The Body Shop talked first about how their cocoa butter products have been using Kuapa Kokoo butter for over 15 years through their community trade scheme. The farmers were delighted to receive a hand massage from one of the Body Shop consultants after the talk.

Divine spoke next and introduced both farmers who gave an interesting talk about growing cocoa and how Fairtrade had impacted their lives. They made a passionate plea to the businesses to continue supporting and buying Divine chocolate and the Body Shop cocoa butter. In the audience was the Minister of Trade from the Ghana Commission, George Fynn, who was delighted to hear the farmers’ story.

Anane and James with George Fynn

After the event we had a nice cup of Fairtrade tea and some Traidcraft biscuits whilst speaking to a few local activist supporters. Then we attended a lecture with some A Level Business Study students at the Croydon College. They were a noisy bunch but as soon as the farmers started talking you could hear a pin drop! And there’s nothing like free chocolate to get students excited!

Following the college we visited the Trinity School and gave two workshops to over 200 boys. We played the fantastic Pa pa pa Bingo game with the 13-15 year olds and hearing them all shout out ‘Pa pa pa!’ at the end made us all smile!

Dinner followed the school and we were guests of the Ghanaian restaurant Gold Coast in West Croydon. The lovely chef James took good care of us and the farmers were pleased to meet some members of the Ghanaian community including a gorgeous bubbly lady called Love. We dined on Jollof Rice, Yams, Fu fu and chicken curry. The farmers felt home-from- home and the Divine staff loved trying lots of new flavours!

James presents the Croydon Mayor with a thank you box of Divine chocolates

After the restaurant we visited the Town Hall and met Robert Askey, Croydon Mayor to thank him for his support with Fairtrade. James made a wonderful presentation of two boxes of chocolate to the Mayor which was very moving. Croydon was the first London borough to announce Fairtrade status and have a tireless bunch of Fairtrade campaigners who continue to do fantastic work.

To finish the day, we visited a Ghanaian church called the Bible Life Ministries Church. We received such a warm welcome from the Ghanaian community and both the Divine staff and farmers had a memorable evening. At one point a Ghanaian hymn was sung which the farmers knew. The congregation and the farmers stood up and started dancing and singing at the front. It was such a wonderful moment of the farmers and UK Ghanaians joined together in celebration of Fairtrade. It was very emotional to be a part of it.

When we finally dragged the farmers away from the church, we all drove back with Matt from the Co-op and even managed to squeeze in a quick drive by tour of London including House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Pauls Cathedral, Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.  Matt gave a running history of London and was a great tour guide. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Divine Chocolate and the farmers would like to say a special thank you to Chris Hunt, Rosa Shea, Caroline Pattison, Diana Battaglia, William Quagraine, Deborah Clement, Matt Hale and everyone for making our tour to Croydon so fantastic. Posted by Laura Blake