BEST COCOA FARMER AWARDEES URGED TO BE GOOD AMBASSADORS OF COCOA SECTOR REFORMS

Date: 18th November 2022

The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Hon Joseph Boahen Aidoo has encouraged the three National Best Cocoa Farmers for 2021 not to renege on their roles as agents of change in the numerous policy reforms of COCOBOD aimed at sustaining the cocoa sector.

In a meeting held at Cocoa House, Accra, the best farmers, Nana Kwadwo Amoako, Madam Adwoa Sintim, and Mr Kwame Alex, were grateful to the Board and Management for their support in propelling them to their current status in their profession.

Briefing management on prevailing trends in the industry, the 2021 National Best Cocoa Farmer, Nana Kwadwo Amoako lauded the Board’s pollination programme which is a major flagship programme that has contributed to the increased productivity registered by cocoa farmers in the 2020/2021 crop season. 

Describing himself as a pollination Ambassador, Nana Amoako appealed to management to bring back the sponsorship of the nationwide pollination programme to assist farmers in their bid to increase productivity.

Touching on motivational strategies to sustain cocoa farming, Nana Amoako recommended that management should introduce an award category targeted at past awardees to encourage the spirit of excellence in the continuous implementation of the recommended agronomic practices among past winners, as it has been observed that past awardees tend to renege on their commitment to excellence. 

“I believe that an award category for the Champion of Champions would go a long way to motivate past awardees and help sustain the cocoa farming trade”, he said.

The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Hon Joseph Boahen Aidoo, at the meeting appealed to the farmers, to continue to uphold their commitment to cocoa farming in order to withstand the current environmental and economic trends the sector is facing. Hon Aidoo charged them to continue being role models to their peers.

 “I entreat you to adhere to practices such as pruning to ensure the health of your farms to reduce infestation by pests”, he advised.

He further indicated, “adhering to these prescribed practices will even limit the incessant request for pesticides and fertilizers, as these practices go a long way to assure the health of farms and crop productivity”.

He assured the awardees that the Board will see to the complete execution of the rehabilitation programme and ensure strict supervision in districts where the rehabilitation programme had stalled.

He encouraged the farmers to channel all complaints and observations to their district officers and regional CHED managers to ensure accountability.

He hinted that management of COCOBOD had planned a meeting in Kumasi to meet all district best cocoa farmers as part of a nationwide move intended to strengthen the collaboration between cocoa farmers and COCOBOD for a sustainable cocoa sector.