AMS awarded for promoting sustainable cocoa production.

This was during the print media giant’s annual Achievement Award ceremony, staged February 17, in the city of Ebolowa, in the South Region.

AMS Ltd, it was disclosed during the award night, clinched the distinction after being voted by readers of the leading print media organ in the CEMAC Subregion.

The jury, comprising renowned journalists, jurists and members of the civil society, said the award was in recognition of AMS Ltd's “marked consistency in promoting sustainable cocoa production in Cameroon as well as boosting premium payments to farmers in the sector”.

A 12-man team, headed by the Communication/Liaison Officer of AMS Ltd, Clerance Forchu, was in Ebolowa to receive the distinction. 

Reacting to the feat, AMS Ltd Country Representative, Etake Divine N, stated that: “I am filled with immense gratitude to readers of Cameroon’s most regularly-published newspaper, The Guardian Post, for having voted us winner of this award. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation, first to God Almighty, then to our esteemed Managing Director, Mr Pim van de Langenberg, and the entire management team at Ecom/Theobroma (in the Netherlands) for their continuous mentorship and support”.

“I equally express my heartfelt gratitude and praise to each and every collaborator within the AMS Ltd team. Your collective efforts made this possible. I am truly humbled to be at the helm of such a driven team,” he continued.

Etake added that: “But today, as we accept these awards, our gratitude extends beyond our organisation. It is essential to recognise the cocoa farmers working with our company in Fako, Meme, Upper Sanaga, Sanaga Maritime, Mbam-et-Inoubou, Mbam-et- Kim, Nyong-et- Kelle, Nyong-et- Mfoumou, Mefou-et- Afamba, Lekie and Nkam divisions”.

Dedicates award to farmers, promises more support 

He described the farmers as being the backbone of the company’s sustainable cocoa production. 

Etake said the commitment of the farmers to the Rainforest Alliance prescribed practices made the achievement possible. 

“We dedicate these awards to them, and our promise is to continue supporting them. Again, we have proven that sustainability and excellence are not merely buzzwords for AMS Ltd. They are the core principles that guide our actions and decisions. We believe that success is not achieved solely through personal gain but through the positive impact we have on the world around us,” he said.

“We look forward to the continued support of the media as we strive to further the success of AMS Ltd and maintain our position at the forefront of sustainable cocoa production in the country” the organization said after receiving the distinction.

Award gallery grows

It should be stated that prior to winning the award, AMS Ltd had in its award gallery six distinctions.

In 2017, the company was recognised for its impact in Cameroon’s cocoa certification. The distinction was an initiative of Presidency of the Republic.

Meanwhile, in 2020, AMS Ltd won the award of Best Sustainable Cocoa Production Organisation in Cameroon. The award came from the Lifetime Media Group. 

Same year, The Scoop Media Group recognised the AMS Country Representative as the Best Sustainable Cocoa Production Manager in Cameroon.

A year later, AMS country boss won a Certificate of Achievement for Sustainably Managing Cocoa Production in Cameroon. The distinction was from the Louis Foundation.

Just recently in 2023, AMS won an award as Best Leader in Sustainable Cocoa Production and Exportation in Cameroon by the Voice Media Group.

Same year, the institution’s Country Representative grabbed the Excellent Managerial Expertise and Stewardship Award by the Voice Media Group.

AMS Ltd in a nutshell

AMS Ltd, it should be said, is a sustainable business involved in cocoa certification and exports. The Tiko based company is a subsidiary to the Dutch giant cocoa trader, Ecom/Theobroma. 

In the last 12 years, AMS Ltd has grown from 400 farmers to over 10,000. The company has paid over 3.5 billion FCFA as bonuses to farmers and exported over 100,000 tons of certified cocoa beans.

It has also trained over 15000 cocoa farmers on Good Agricultural, Social and Environmental practices, distributed over 1.5 million free cocoa seedlings and provided chemicals worth billions of FCFA to farmers.

AMS donated boreholes and benches to communities and schools, constructed many Farmer Development Centers and provided employment to hundreds of Cameroonians.