The distribution is part of the company’s effort to support a sustainable cocoa supply chain.
In addition, the partnership will supply and install solar panels in 22 basic schools in rural communities for the improvement of academic performance, support two clinics to enable them store medication and medical instruments to ensure improved health delivery and also power three food-processing units to enable women in the identified communities add value to their farm produce.
The total cost of the project is an estimated $1.3 million. Among those who will benefit from the project are farmers and their families in Ghana’s Asunafo North, Amansie Central, Amansie West, Bibiani-Anwhiaso-Bekwai and Suhum Kraboa-Coaltar regions.
Yaa Peprah Amekudzi, project director for the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, said the donation was in response to the prioritised needs of the community partners for renewable energy.
She said the solar lanterns would make significant impact on the lives of the people and help students in those communities to improve on their studies and academic performance.
"This is definitely going to transform the lives of the people in the targeted communities," she said, adding, increased cocoa production would foster rapid economic growth.
James Boateng, Managing Director, Cadbury Ghana and French West Africa, said the solar project was part of the company's broader effort to help address the social, economic and environmental issues of cocoa communities.
"For us in Cadbury and now Kraft Foods, today's presentation of the solar equipment is another ground breaking initiative in our company's effort to meet the social contract," he said.
The Cadbury Cocoa Partnership was established in 2008 with the overarching objective of supporting sustainable cocoa communities and improving the lives of half a million cocoa farmers and their families by 2018.
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