Coca-Cola Celebrates 125th Anniversary

The Coca-Cola Company has commemorated its 125th Anniversary at a well-attended event at its plant located on the Spintex Road in Accra.

The company hosted high-profile dignitaries and government officials, led by Vice President John Dramani Mahama and owners of the company from Spain.

The history of the brand dates back to May 8, 1886 when a pharmacist named Dr. John Pemberton created the famous drink Coca-Cola and sold it in a pharmacy called Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta Georgia, USA.

From humble beginnings 125 years ago, the company has evolved from producing Coca-Cola to more than 500 brands in 2011.

The company has grown from selling a modest nine servings a day in 1886 to 1.7billion.

Today, Coca-Cola is available in more than 200 countries, and its trademark is written in approximately 80 languages.

In his address, Conrad van Niekerk, General Manager of The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited (TCCBG), said Coca-Cola is delivered across the length and breath of the country through a comprehensive route to market linkages.

This, he noted, has led to the economic empowerment of over 50,000 trading individuals and groups within the extensive distribution chain.

He emphasised that “as a good corporate citizen, The Coca-Cola System has since its inception in Ghana supported many communities where the company believes can make a sustainable impact on the lives of the people in the areas of education, health, environment and entrepreneurship training.”

He said the company has provided employment to over 1,000 Ghanaians and has six bottling lines.

The Vice President also commended Coca-Cola for its remarkable feat since it began operations in Ghana.

He lauded the company for its corporate social responsibility programmes which have improved the lot of people in the rural areas.

He promised government’s preparedness to supporting the private sector to help grow the economy.

Highlights of the event included the cutting of a birthday cake and the unveiling of a plaque by the Vice President, who was supported by the US Ambassador, Donald Teitelbaum, the Spanish Ambassador Olga Cabarga Gomez and the ownership of the company from Spain.

By Esther Awuah