The President of the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG), Samuel Animado, has called for bold leadership and deliberate investment in innovation to shape Ghana’s economic future.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd edition of the Ghana 100 Trailblazers Conference and Awards organised by the Business Executive Group, Mr Animado said sustainable growth would require strategic collaboration, resilient businesses and purposeful investments in human capital rather than chance.
He urged Ghana to seize emerging opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that long-term national prosperity depends on building competitive institutions and strengthening enterprise development.
“As President of the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG), I firmly believe that the future of Ghana’s economy depends on visionary leadership, resilient businesses, ethical governance and a strong commitment to enterprise development.”
Mr Animado described Ghana’s youth as the country’s greatest asset, saying their creativity and determination must be supported through quality education, practical skills development, digital opportunities, mentorship and access to finance.
He said expanding opportunities for women-owned businesses and strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises would create a more competitive and resilient economy.
Mr Animado also announced that LICOBAG will officially transition into the Chamber of Cocoa Marketers on 13 August 2026, describing the move as a strategic step towards strengthening collaboration across Ghana’s cocoa value chain.
According to him, the Chamber will bring together cocoa marketers, financial institutions, processors, insurers and academia to promote investment, innovation and sustainable growth within the cocoa sector.
The Ghana Hundred Trailblazers Conference and Awards, held under the theme “Opening new pathways for Ghana’s socioeconomic development,” brought together leading figures from business, industry and entrepreneurship to celebrate excellence and discuss pathways for national growth.
The grand red-themed gathering served as a platform to honour individuals and institutions whose leadership, innovation and contributions continue to shape Ghana’s economic future.
