Afruibana elects a new Executive Board

Paris, 8 July 2025 – Afruibana, the pan-African association of fruit producers and exporters from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Cameroon, has announced a renewed leadership team following its Extraordinary General Meeting of 19 June 2025. With strong representation across countries and expertise areas, the new Board reflects Afruibana’s continued commitment to advocacy, sustainability, and inclusive growth in the African fruit sector.

Mr George KPORYE from Ghana was elected President, succeeding the Hon. Joseph OWONA KONO. The Assembly also confirmed the appointments of the Hon. Jean-Marie KAKOU-GERVAIS, Mrs Christelle ETEMBE OWONA, Mr Thomas HILDENBRAND and Mr Jean-François BILLOT to key roles within the Board.

A renewed Board committed to sustainability, equity, cooperation and dialogue

George KPORYE (President) is a pioneering figure in Ghana’s horticultural landscape. A graduate in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana, he was trained and certified as an organic farmer in Sweden in 2001. He led Paradise Farms before its integration into Golden Exotics Ltd (GEL), now Ghana’s leading banana exporter. Currently serving as Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Advisor at GEL, he champions social progress and environmental stewardship across the industry.

Jean-Marie KAKOU-GERVAIS (Vice-President & Treasurer) is a distinguished Ivorian diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, renowned for his commitment to South–South dialogue and multilateralism. Today, he chairs the Organisation of Banana, Pineapple, Mango and Other Fruit Producers and Exporters of Côte d’Ivoire (OBAMCI) and has served as Vice-President of Afruibana since its inception.

Thomas HILDENBRAND (Vice-President) is a French agronomist and expert in tropical horticulture. Active in the Ivorian banana sector since the 1980s, he currently sits on the executive committee of SIPEF. As Vice-President of Afruibana and representative of the OCAB, he is a long-standing advocate of fair trade, rural employment, and environmental standards.

Christelle ETEMBE OWONA (Vice-President) is a leading expert in sustainability and human rights within agricultural value chains. She currently serves on the boards of Fairtrade International and Max Havelaar France and is a member of the Advisory Body of the FAO’s World Banana Forum.

Jean-François BILLOT (Secretary General) is a committed contributor in the Euro-African dialogue, specialising in trade policy and international development. A member of Freshfel’s Import committee and of ALFA’s executive board, he played a key role in preserving EU tariff preferences for ACP bananas and promoting a living wage framework rooted in social dialogue and ILO standards.

A forward-looking organisation

The new Board reaffirms Afruibana’s mission to defend the interests of African fruit producers in international markets, promote sustainable and fair value chains, and support responsible agricultural development that leaves no one behind.