Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) has courted pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies to leverage on cocoa products especially its cocoa butter to exploit the health and economic benefits of the cash crop.
Speaking on Akoma FM‘s current affairs and political show GhanAkoma on Monday, June 21, Managing Director for CPC Nana Agyenim Boateng I explained that the untapped potentials of the cocoa value chain is enormous, hence he called on entrepreneurs, players in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies to utilize the cocoa and its by-products at every stage within the production chain.
According the Managing Director, CPC is about introducing cocoa butter unto the local market.
Though the product has been on the international market, it is yet to flood the local market.
“The cocoa butter has been on the international market for years,” he said. “We used to package and export but we are now localizing the product so we will implore everyone to hook unto the products.”
APPEAL TO LOCAL MANUFACTURERS
Nana Agyenim Boateng I, who also doubles as traditional ruler and occupant of Amoaman stool in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region, called on players in the manufacturing industry especially that of pharmaceutical and cosmetics to leverage on the new product Cocoa Processing Company has outdoored and will be flooding the market in no time.
“The cocoa butter has been a major base and raw materials for most of the giant pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies in Europe and Asia so it’s about time they all come aboard and utilize the cocoa butter and exploit its economic and health benefits,” he added.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF COCOA BUTTER
Nana Agyenim Boateng I further outlined the numerous advantages of cocoa butter to the host of the show, Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin.
“The medicinal uses of cocoa has been traced from Mexican (Aztec) sources and about 150 uses of cocoa for medical treatment has been documented.
“The oil in cocoa, referred to as cocoa butter, is a mixture of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. The major monounsaturated fat in cocoa is Oleic acid.
“The fat in cocoa butter forms a protective barrier over skin to hold in moisture. One common use of cocoa butter is smooth scarls. It also help fight free radical damage that can cause aging and dourness keeping your skin soft hydrated and young looking.”
The CPC Managing Director further narrowed the health benefits of the butter as he compared it to other normal butter on the market.
“Cocoa butter has many benefits for the hair as it does to the skin. It makes hair grow, keep it healthy and soft in the process. It also prevents hair loss due to breakage or an inherently fine texture and may help prevent chemical damage. It also improves skin elasticity and reduce appearance of stretch marks.”
Aside the cocoa butter, Nana Agyenim Boateng I threw more lights on other products such as the Royal Natural Cocoa Powder, dark chocolate and other products which are already flooding the market.
He added that “currently, military chocolate is issued to troops as part of basic field rations and sundry packs. A 100g of cocoa powder provides 10-20% of energy needs of a young adult and contributes substantial amounts of vitamin and mineral needs.”
By Nana Asenso Mensah|Akoma FM|3news.com|Ghana
