By: Nana Yaw Reuben
The 2026/2027 Kick-Off and Partnership Engagement was a moment for SafeCrop – SafeBond and their farmers to reflect on their journey so far and to celebrate their partnership milestone under the theme: “Rooted Together, Growing Forward”, through our Five Years, Seven Principles, One Supply Chain strategy.
The event brought together about 150 farmers and partners including Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), FEDCO, Danthess Commodities, Tachibana, Kumbi, Whittaker’s and Quality Control Company (COCOBOD).
Success
Chairman for the SafeCrop – SafeBond 2026/2027 Kick-Off and Partnership Engagement, Dr. Francis Nana Yaw Kudjo said he sees a lot of opportunities for cooperatives working with SafeCrop – SafeBond.
He explained that even though SafeCrop – SafeBond has not been in existence for long yet you see their good dreams for Ghanaian farmers.
“I am confident that with strong partnerships, well-organized execution and a united team, SafeCrop – SafeBond will be of great benefit to our cooperatives” he said.
The Managing Director for SafeCrop Ltd, Akua Yeboah Oduro Owusu explained that the Annual General Meeting was to reflect on their progress, appreciate members in good standing and look ahead with renewed focus.
She revealed that SafeCrop believes that agriculture should create lasting value for everyone involved.
“Farmers should be able to produce sustainably and improve their livelihoods. Cooperatives should become stronger, while agribusinesses should have access to reliable markets, finance, data and sustainable supply chains.
“Through SafeBond, we seek to deepen financial inclusion and create stronger financial opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses and communities.
“Through Danthess Commodities, we are expanding our capacity to produce, source, aggregate, process and connect quality Ghanaian agricultural commodities to domestic and international markets” she said.
SafeBond Cooperative Credit Union Manager, Victoria Loretta Owusu explained that SafeBond’s mission is to provide accessible and affordable financial services that empower members to improve their livelihoods.
She adds that SafeBond’s vision is to help agricultural stakeholders, rural farmers access financial services, input credits, and cooperative financing across Ghana.
“SafeBond combines everyday financial services with solutions tailored to agriculture, households and working professionals” she said.
Research & Development Manager – SafeCrop, Edward Opoku educated farmers on how cooperatives can apply and join the SafeCrop network.
“Please walk into any SafeCrop offices and pick up a physical copy of the form; fill it and submit it for completely free no application fee, ever.
“Acceptance does not mean implementation has started. It is the gateway that lets your cooperative enter the trial phase and be evaluated further; and once you have gone through all the necessary processes successfully you qualified to be our member” he said.
Technical
On the Technical Front, Principal Operations Officer, Quality Control Company – COCOBOD Maxwell Osei Boadu explained that the credibility of a conformity assessment body is judged by its ability to inspire confidence in clients and other stakeholders in the certification scheme within the value chain.
“We are an independent organization that tests, inspects, or certifies that products, services, processes, systems or people meet specific rules, standards or safety requirements before shipping of the products to ensure compliance and maintain the quality of our cocoa” he said.
General Manager, Danthess–Kumbi, Samuel Dodoo explained that Danthess–Kumbi brings to the cocoa sector years of complementary strengths in agricultural commodity trading, cocoa sourcing, market development and supply-chain coordination.
“Our partnership has been established to build a reliable and competitive cocoa sourcing operation in Ghana; our District Managers are critical to the success of Danthess–Kumbi because they translate the partnership’s commercial objectives into actual cocoa volumes at the district level” he added.
Ashanti Regional Director of Department of Cooperatives, Amos Sekyi said this is the right time for farmer cooperatives in Ghana to benefit from more technical and financial support like what SafeCrop – SafeBond is offering.
“I believe that Co-ops must partner with local, national, and global networks to strengthen the movement and their communities” he added.
A 5-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Adwumapa Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Society Limited, Anidaso Mma Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Society Limited and Assinman Woman Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Limited. The contract is from August 2026 to August 2031, under the 7SSP framework for sustainable sourcing principle focusing on Traceability, Fair Income, Women’s Leadership and Climate-Smart Farming.
Appreciation
The leadership of the various cooperatives expressed their appreciation to SafeCrop – SafeBond for the technical and financial support and being an advocate of their human rights and helping them mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.
Background
SafeCrop – SafeBond are a Ghanaian agricultural and sustainability organizations established in Ghana. Their working to transform smallholder farmers on cooperative empowerment, accessible financing, certified sustainable practices and agricultural loans tailored to farmers, traders and cooperatives across rural and farming communities.
–END–
