The partial liberalization of the cocoa market in Ghana in the 1990’s made it possible for cocoa farmers to buy and sell cocoa for their own benefit. In 1993, a group of farmers include a visionary farmer named Nama Frimpong Abrebrese joined forces to launch a cocoa farmers' organization named "Kuapa Kokoo" which in the local language, Twi, means "Good Cocoa Farmers Company". Their motto is "Pa Pa Paa" which means "the best of the best of the best".

The organization is for farmers and set up by them with the mission to effect:

• increased power and representation within the market for the farmers
• social, economic and political empowerment
• enhanced women's participation in all its affairs
• environmentally sustainable production processes

Kuapa Kokoo consists of:

• Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union – a democratic organization of smallholder farmers run for the benefit of its members. Farmers are organized into village societies, area levels and then at a national level with farmers electing representatives at each level and with significant participation of women.
• Kuapa Kokoo Ltd – the trading arm of the farmers union
• Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Trust – the body that oversees the distribution of Fair Trade premiums for community projects
• Kuapa Kokoo Credit Union – providing credit and banking services to the farmers of Kuapa Kokoo

To learn more about Kuapa Kokoo and obtain additional documents about the farmers’ cooperative visit our UK site:
http://www.divinechocolate.com/about/kokoo.aspx