ACA plans for an exciting future during Executive Committee meeting and Retreat

17 December, 2012 - 17:30

From November 27 to 28, the ACA Executive Committee met at the ACA Secretariat offices for an extraordinary meeting, held in addition to the usual semi-annual timetable. The seven EC members travelled from Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, India, and the US. Elected by current ACA members in September at the Conference, this was the first time that all seven EC members have met together.

“The EC meeting was tremendous,” said Tola Faseru, an EC member from Nigeria. “The contributions from the EC members at the meeting were very rich, insightful and robust. The commitment and passion of all the EC members was very visible and glaring as we were all focused on the matters concerning the ACA and the cashew industry at large, strategizing and positioning ACA for the roles it will be performing in driving the emerging African cashew processing sector."

The Executive Committee is ACA’s primary governing body, elected by ACA members, that provides direction, guidance, and oversight to the Secretariat.  During the two days of meetings, the EC reviewed 2012 results and achievements, discussed strategic plans and governments for 2013, and evaluated ACA goals and priorities for the future.  

Jace Rabe, who traveled from the United States to attend the meeting, also expressed his satisfaction with the results of the gathering: “I felt we had a very productive and successful meeting with the new EC.  Each member is passionate about the African cashew industry.  I am confident that the different viewpoints of the various members will produce some great results to continue to steer the ACA on its upward course.”

Earlier in November, the ACA Secretariat moved to Anomabo, Ghana for three days during its annual staff retreat. Nine ACA staff members were joined by Mritunjay Das, of Olam Ghana, as well as ACA President Georgette Taraf, both of whom provided key strategic advice and feedback on ACA's activities. The retreat provided an occasion for ACA to take stock of 2012 achievements and also consider improvement opportunities for the short and long-term future.

“The retreat was a great chance to take a step back from the day-to-day activities that keep us busy at ACA, and focus more on the big picture of the organization,” said Marian Lamptey, ACA Administrative Officer. “I think everyone in the office really benefitted from working together, making us a stronger team.”

 Workplan development, skills trainings and target-setting workshops allowed the ACA team to analyze strategic options and implications of ACA activities, while also reinforcing teamwork and strengthening internal communication and organizational capacity. The retreat resulted in important identifications of ACA needs, potential, and goals, as well as a clear vision for ACA's scope of work and development in 2013.

This vision helped guide discussions at the Executive Committee meeting. “The secretariat and staff were very supportive and worked very hard - it was obvious that they made serious preparations ahead of the meeting,” noted an appreciative Tola Faseru.  

With solid leadership guiding a dedicated Secretariat, ACA is prepared for a successful new year, and looks forward to accomplishing many milestone goals along the road to a competitive African cashew industry. 

African Cashew Alliance: Growing the cashew industry

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