WOMEN IN COCOA COOPERATIVE UNION LAUNCHED

Date: 19th July 2023

Female members of twenty-three cocoa farmer cooperatives have united to establish the Sunyani District Women Cocoa Farmers Union (SUWCOF) in their quest to become more robust in promoting their shared values and interests.

With a membership of over 1500 female farmers, the decision by the women was driven by the desire to capitalise on the numerous benefits and opportunities it presents.

At a ceremony to officially launch the union, the significance of women's roles in cocoa farming was recognised, particularly, in relation to the attainment of Goal Five of the Sustainable Development Goals. The members of the new union were as such encouraged to pursue tailor-made programmes that promote their social and economic well- being.

A Special Aide to the Vice President of Ghana, Hon Isaac Kwadwo, who was the Special Guest of Honour, in a solidarity message encouraged them to fully harness their potential and experiences in cocoa farming for their collective interest while urging them to adopt other additional livelihood projects to diversify their income.

“Executives of the Union must plan and invite experts to offer training on snail rearing, beekeeping, baking and other ventures to enable members to obtain backup funds to augment their regular source of income, which is farming”, he advised.

An award-winning farmer, Mrs Martha Addai, who is also a member of the interim governing body of the Union was happy the women had mobilized themselves into a strong Union in the District and called on them to invite more members into the group.

According to her, in Ghana, particularly in the Sunyani District, the traditional role women were often seen providing to support their husbands on the farm had changed as women farmers are today farm owners, cultivating large acres of cocoa farms.

The Regional Manager of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), Mr Ernest Owusu Ansah, promised his outfit’s support to assist them cultivate cocoa professionally so that they can increase their farm yields.

There were solidarity messages from some dignitaries and officials from various stakeholders in the Sunyani Municipality which included the MCEs of Sunyani East and West, Care International, License Buying Companies (LBCs), COCOSHE and the Sunyani Traditional Council.