An Advisor to the Union of African Journalists (UAJ), Ambassador Ahmed Haggag has urged the Government of Ghana, corporate entities especially producers of chocolate to produce more and explore the Egyptian market with it.
According to him, Egyptians have a ‘sweet tooth’ and would love to enjoy Ghana’s chocolate and other cocoa products.
Ambassador Ahmed Haggag made the call at the 58th Training Course for Young African Journalists in Cairo, Egypt.
The training is being organized by the Union of African Journalists (UAJ), in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Media Regulation.
This year’s training brought together 13 journalists from African countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, Chad, Morocco, Tanzania, and Kenya, and five from Egypt.
The three-week training programme which is held every year is meant to build the capacities of journalists, enhance their skills and allow them to network with other Journalists on the African Continent to share ideas.
Speaking on the topic, Energy in Africa, Possibilities and Challenges, Ambassador Ahmed Haggag, who is also the Secretary General of Africa Society chipped in with how Africans can explore African Countries in terms of trade, noting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As a friend to the Late Former President, Flt Lt.Jerry John Rawlings, Ambassador Ahmed Haggag shared his experience when he visited Ghana and how he enjoyed the chocolate produced by Ghana.
He observed that Ghana produces more cocoa but exports more to foreign countries that produce chocolates and cocoa products.
Unfortunately, he noticed that after producing chocolate with Ghana’s cocoa, Ghana imports these chocolates made with their own cocoa.
Meanwhile, he was of the view that Ghana, having the finest cocoa in the world and being a large exporter of cocoa should rather produce more chocolate and cocoa products and export it to the world.
“The Egypt Airport is a big market for cocoa products, Produce more chocolates and explore the Egyptian market,” he stated.
Aside from that, he advised the Ghanaian Government to also send someone to explore the possibilities in the production of cocoa products in Egypt.
“You should send somebody to explore the possibilities in cocoa, we have some factories here because the Egyptians have ‘sweet tooth’, and they eat a lot of chocolates. There should be a joint venture between the cocoa producers in Ghana and in Egypt to have the chocolate bars and paste,” he said.
Ambassador Ahmed Haggag continued, “We have an airline which is Egyptair, they can use it as a transporter instead of bringing it in person.”
He also noted that the Pan African trade exhibition will soon come off, advising the Ghanaian Pavilion to exhibit items the country produces more including chocolates or cocoa products, shea butter, honey, timber, and gold for the African countries to explore.
Ambassador Ahmed Haggag also encouraged newlyweds to go for their honeymoon in Egypt, saying it is cheaper there.
“I always say this is the best way to encourage inter-African Relations. The Foreigners do not give most Africans visas to go France, the UK or America so you can come to Egypt to spend it here, it is cheaper, and the people will welcome you anywhere,” he added.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Cairo, Egypt.
