Nestlé Ghana has hosted 15 cocoa farmers from the Ashanti Region at its Tema factory, offering them a firsthand look at how their produce is transformed into household brands such as Milo.
The initiative, the first of its kind, forms part of Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value approach, which seeks to empower farmers while ensuring a sustainable cocoa supply for its operations.
Mrs. Deborah Kwablah, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager of Nestlé Ghana-Tema, said the company trained farmers in improved agronomic practices to help them increase yields and maximise income.
“When farmers get better yields, they earn more, and Nestlé also secures the cocoa needed for production. That’s why we call it creating shared value,” she explained.
She said Nestlé also invested in social infrastructure in cocoa-growing communities, noting that in 2025 alone, the company commissioned 15 boreholes and five schools, with additional schools, toilet facilities, and water systems under construction.
Mrs. Kwablah added that the farmers invited to Tema were not only producers but also community leaders, who supported others with best practices such as pruning and crop management.
She said for many participants, it was their first opportunity to witness how their cocoa contributes to Milo production, an experience Nestlé plans to institutionalise as an annual event.
“This is more than corporate social responsibility. For us, it is core business—creating value for farmers, Nestlé, and our shareholders,” she stressed.
Mr. Anthony Ofosu, a cocoa farmer from Adanfonsukitua in the Ashanti Region, expressed gratitude for the experience.
“Since I began cocoa farming, I have never set foot in the factory until today. From what I have seen, I am deeply impressed, and when I return home, I will share my experience with my community so they too can be inspired by the contribution we make to the nation,” he said.
He added that the farmers were guided through various machines and equipment, with explanations of how each one worked, and introduced to the wide range of products made from Ghanaian cocoa.
