LET’S STICK TO THE CORE MANDATE OF BUNSO COCOA COLLEGE – DR. OWUSU ADVISES

Date: 16th August 2023

The Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control and Chairman for the Governing Council of the Bunso Cocoa College, Dr. Ebenezer Owusu has urged management and staff of the College to operate within the college's core mandate to achieve maximum results. 

Dr. Owusu disclosed this during a 2-day working visit to the college to familiarise himself with their operations and interact with members of the college. 

According to him, the college was set up to churn out students with enormous mastery in cocoa extension and general agronomic practices to support the cultivation of cocoa and other mandate crops of the Board.  

He observed that the continuous training of the Community Extension Agents (CEAs) and Officers at the college equips them adequately to share the knowledge acquired with farmers and other actors within their operational areas. 

“The college has the requisite knowledge to train extension officers well enough to help cocoa farmers engage in good agronomic practices for proper yield”, he added.  

Dr. Owusu noted that although Ghana's cocoa continues to enjoy high praise globally for its premium quality, the crop is being threatened by numerous challenges, including smuggling and galamsey and called on staff to rally behind COCOBOD to secure the future of the industry. 

“Currently the industry is facing a serious threat, and the only way out is to rally behind COCOBOD’s strategies to sensitise cocoa farmers to desist from giving out their farms to galamsey operators and not allow their cocoa beans to be smuggled to neighbouring countries”, he hinted. 

Dr. Owusu lauded the dynamic staff of the college for their diverse roles in realizing its vision and called for innovative approaches to its operations. 

Addressing some concerns raised by staff during the interactions, Dr Owusu reiterated his commitment as the Chairman to ensure that the college is well-equipped with better infrastructure and modern learning materials that will help sustain the college. 

For her part, the Rector for the College, Dr, Mercy Asamoah assured management of their continuous efforts to ensure that the college is recognised as one of the best in agriculture and extension in the country. 

Meanwhile, a tour of some major facilities of the college gave Dr Owusu a better appreciation of the state of affairs of the infrastructure of the college to inform policy.