WORK HARD TO SAFEGUARD COCOA INDUSTRY - TUC BOSS

Date: 06th May 2024

The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, has admonished cocoa industry workers to safeguard the sector through hard work and commitment to duty. 

He made this call at the 2nd Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana Workers’ Union Congress (CRIWU-TUC),  an affiliate of the Trades Union Congress, at New Tafo-Akim in the Eastern Region. 

While commending the staff of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) for their continuous research into cocoa and other related crops, he also urged the workers, especially the scientists to research more into other areas, including those that specifically address environmental conditions that hold the potential to affect the sustainability of the cocoa industry.  

‘I entreat the workforce of Ghana Cocoa Board and CRIG to contribute their quota with research and policies for sustainable cocoa production to steer the economy out of the current challenges’, he advised.  

He assured staff that the Union will stand by them in all matters relating to their conditions of service, adding that the Union has dedicated and hardworking executives who seek their interest and welfare. 

He congratulated the newly elected CRIWU executives on their successful election and encouraged them to be disciplined and hardworking and support the board’s programmes and policies.

The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo emphasised that cocoa has served as the backbone of Ghana’s economy for over 130 years. However, he expressed deep concern over the adverse effects of illegal mining, deforestation, and other activities. 

Hon Aidoo highlighted experts' warnings that if left unchecked, these factors could lead to the extinction of cocoa in the country by 2050. Consequently, he urged unions within the cocoa sector to unite in supporting efforts aimed at combating these threats.

‘These human activities do not only destroy plant life, but also the microorganisms and even the rainfall patterns have also changed, affecting the sustainability of cocoa production in recent years’, he said. 

He urged staff of the board and its subsidiaries, cocoa farmers, and stakeholders to work diligently to consolidate the gains made over the past few years.   

By Geoffrey Opoku-Darko
Public Affairs - CRIG