BENEFICIARIES OF COCOA REHABILITATION PROGRAMME CONSTRUCT NEW MATERNITY BLOCK

Date: 01st July 2024

Farmers and chiefs in Nsowakrom, a cocoa-growing area in the Western North Region who benefitted from incentives under the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme, have ploughed back the compensation and royalties they received from Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to support community development efforts. 

They have invested in constructing a new maternity ward, funded by voluntary contributions from their COCOBOD compensations.

Cocoa Extension Officer for Nsowakrom, Emmanuel Asomani, said the community has become an example to neighbouring communities following the numerous benefits the cocoa rehabilitation programme has brought to them. 

He noted that the success of the programme has prompted other cocoa farmers, who initially refused to participate, to now request the implementation of the programme in their own communities.

The Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme, an initiative by COCOBOD, aims to enhance the productivity and sustainability of cocoa farms by providing financial support and resources for farmers and landlords who willingly released their farms for rehabilitation.

The intriguing story of these selfless beneficiaries of the programme came to light when COCOBOD visited the community on a recce to inspect the state of their newly established farms.

The newly completed maternity ward is already making a significant impact, providing essential healthcare services to expectant mothers in the community. This development marks a substantial improvement in maternal and child health care, which was previously a significant concern for the community.

Akosua Kyerema, a mother and cocoa farmer, expressed her gratitude for the new maternity ward, highlighting how it significantly aided in the smooth delivery of her third child. 

“When the officers spoke to us about plans for the rehabilitation programme, I was reluctant to allow them to cut down my farm but after participating in the programme, not only did I get compensated, I also benefited from the maternity ward we contributed to build. I had my baby here. There was no need to travel a long distance to the next clinic when I was in labour,” Akosusa Kyerema said.

Building on this success, the community has embarked on constructing a new clinic. Contributions from local cocoa farmers are being used to fund the project, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collective responsibility among the residents. The clinic is expected to offer a range of medical services, further enhancing the overall health and well-being of the inhabitants of Nsowakrom and its adjoining communities.

Traditional leaders have expressed their pride in these achievements, emphasizing the importance of using resources from the cocoa sector to drive sustainable development. They believe that investing in healthcare infrastructure is crucial for the long-term prosperity of their community.

“The Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme has not only improved our farms but also enabled us to invest in our community’s future, especially in the education of our children,” Nana Tabuah, queen mother of Nsowakrom disclosed. “The new maternity ward and the upcoming clinic are testaments to what we can achieve when we work together for the common good,” she added.

This initiative serves as an inspiring example of how agricultural interventions like the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme can have far-reaching positive impacts beyond the immediate economic benefits, fostering community development and improving the quality of life in cocoa-growing communities.

By Rhoda Onyinah,
Public Affairs Department.