Nestlé Ghana, ECOM commission boreholes for 15 cocoa farming communities in 3 regions

Nestlé Ghana Ltd., in partnership with ECOM’s Sustainable Management Services (SMS), has commissioned boreholes for 15 cocoa farming communities in the Ashanti, Central, and Eastern regions as part of the 2024–2025 cocoa season initiatives.
 
The provision of the portable water, according to the partners, is to ensure that cocoa farmers and their households have access to safe and clean water, which is essential to improve the livelihoods of the farmers and ensure long-term sustainability of cocoa production.

 The project undertaken through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, a sustainability programme, aims to enhance the quality of cocoa, increase farmer incomes, and contribute to the overall well-being of cocoa farming communities.
 
On the other hand, the ECOM's Sustainable Management Services in Ghana focuses on improving cocoa farmer productivity and sustainability by providing access to inputs, training, and certification, while supporting other crops.
 
Through this partnership, ECOM and Nestlé empower cocoa farmers by promoting the adoption of good agricultural practices, implementing alternative livelihood programmes, to ultimately help improve the farmers' household income and overall livelihoods.

Handing over

Representatives from Nestlé Ghana Ltd. and ECOM's Sustainable Management Services (SMS) officially handed over one of the newly constructed boreholes to the Adumasa Manya community in the Eastern Region at a ceremony held on Monday, April 14, 2025.
 
The event was attended by several dignitaries from ECOM and Nestlé Ghana Ltd., also present were the Chief of Adumasa Manya, Nana Baffour Nadu Tetteh I, elders of the community, and the Assembly Member for the area, Mr Edmund Bediako.

Significance

Speaking at the ceremony, Emmanuel Baffoe-Bonie, Assistant General Manager for Sustainability at ECOM highlighted the significance of the project, noting that it addresses a critical challenge faced by rural communities—access to potable water.

 
“This initiative will go a long way to alleviate the burden of walking long distances to fetch water. At ECOM, we believe in creating rural prosperity. A community cannot be truly prosperous if it lacks access to basic necessities like clean water,” he said. He emphasized the alignment between ECOM’s mission and the goals of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. Together, we are working to ensure that the farmers we support live better lives and that their communities thrive.”
 
Referring to the broader scope of the initiative, he added, “This borehole, along with 14 others being commissioned across 15 communities in three regions, is something we are extremely proud of.”
 
Mr Baffoe-Bonie also stressed the broader social impact of the project: “We have worked closely with these cocoa farmers and understand their challenges. Providing access to potable water not only improves health and daily living by lessening the burdens placed on children and women in these communities.”

Commitment

Deborah Kwablah, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager at Nestlé Ghana Ltd., reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their families through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.

“Through our partnership with ECOM, we identified that one of the pressing needs in this community was access to potable water — clean water that is not only safe but also within close reach”.

“In some cases, water may be clean but located miles away, and in others, it may be nearby but unsafe. Today, we are thrilled that, we have been able to bring clean and accessible water to this community. Now, women and children no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water.”

“We value the work you do as Cocoa Farmers, and we are committed to working together with you to build sustainable futures,” she said. 

She concluded by calling on the community’s Water Management Committee to take responsibility for the facility’s proper use and management. “I understand there is a Water Management Committee in place. I urge you to ensure the facility is well maintained so it can continue serving the entire community for years to come,” she added.

Appreciation

The Chief of Adumasa Manya, Baffour Nadu Tetteh I, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Nestlé Ghana Ltd. and ECOM for their generous support in providing access to clean water for the community.
 
He praised the initiative as a significant step toward improving the quality of life in the town, particularly for women and children who previously bore the burden of walking long distances in search of water.
 
“Access to clean water has been a longstanding challenge in this town, and it is our women and children who have suffered the most. “But thanks to the support of Nestlé and ECOM, that struggle is now behind us. Your organisations have demonstrated a true commitment to humanity, and we are sincerely grateful,” he said.

 
The Chief took the opportunity to appeal for additional development projects to further uplift the community, specifically in the areas of education and healthcare.
 
“In your remarks, you encouraged farmers to prioritize the education of their children. However, we do not have a school in this town, and our children are forced to travel to neighboring communities to access education,” he stated. 

“Just as you have helped us with potable water, we humbly appeal for your support in building a school and a health center to meet the educational and healthcare needs of our people,” he stressed.