KUAPA KOOKO LAUDS IMPACT OF COCOA REHABILITATION PROGRAMME

Date: 13th August 2024

The National President of the Kuapa Kooko Farmers Union, Mr James Agyekum Kwarteng, has observed that the introduction and successful implementation of the various Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEPs) have impacted cocoa communities and significantly enhanced the socio-economic development of many cocoa farmers in the country. 

He noted that farmers have seen remarkable improvements in their lives since the roll-out of the initiatives, allowing them to live a decent life and rekindling a communal spirit amongst farmers who once lost hope in their profession as a result of the debilitating impact of the Swollen Shoot Viral Disease on their farms.

Mr. Agyekum Kwarteng, accompanied by executives of Kuapa Kooko Farmer Co-operatives and management of Kuapa Kooko Limited made these remarks at a meeting with management of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to discuss operational challenges associated with Kuapa Kokoo’s activities and to seek assistance from COCOBOD.

He appealed to management to extend the rehabilitation programme to other communities which are yet to benefit from the laudable initiatives. “Kuapa Kooko Farmers Unions is made up of more than 100,000 farmers; every year some of our members, especially those in Western North tell us they receive their seedlings and other forms of support from your outfit and their farms are doing very well,” he noted.

Mr. Agyekum Kwarteng also expressed gratitude to COCOBOD for keeping faith with farmers by constantly increasing the producer price of cocoa, expressing optimism that in the coming season, management will once again put smiles on the faces of cocoa farmers with further increments.

The National President of the Kuapa Kooko Farmers Union, however, said in spite of these benefits, their members are still confronted with some challenges which include liquidity challenges for local LBCs, delay in payment of Cocoa Taken Over Receipts (CTORs), destruction of farms by illegal miners, the devastating impact of climate change on productivity and activities of cocoa smuggling syndicates.

He made a passionate appeal to COCOBOD to assist in addressing these challenges for their members.

The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo gave an overview of the rehabilitation programme, and the gains made.  He disclosed that management has also invested in several policies such as hand pollination, pruning, Cocoa Management System amongst others to revive the country’s cocoa sector. 

Hon Aidoo further assured the delegation that management has taken notice of their legitimate concerns and promised to act on them. 

Hon Aidoo warned the public to be vigilant and disclosed that the upsurge increase in the activities of smuggling is due to allegations of Russian mercenaries in the Sahelian Region who are luring some Ghanaians into their dubious schemes.

The Chief Executive further assured them of a considerable increase in producer price in the 2024/25 crop season to help curb the phenomenon, adding that the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce has also intensified its operations to nip the menace in the bud.

On galamsey and the efforts to stop farmers from arbitrarily giving out their farms to illegal miners, Hon Aidoo indicated that the Economic Plant Protection Act, 1979 prevents people from engaging in illegal activities in cocoa-growing communities and hinted that COCOBOD is reviewing the laws protecting cocoa to contain harsher sanctions for perpetrators of cocoa related crimes.