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Cocobod to institute incentive for top
grade cocoa producers
Nyankumase-Ahenkro (C/R), Feb. 7, GNA- Mr Ben Ankomah-Sey,
Cape Coast District Officer of the Quality Control Division
of Cocobod, on Tuesday announced that with effect from next
purchasing season, Cocobod would reward cocoa farmers who
produce grade “A” cocoa.
He has therefore tasked all cocoa farmers to work hard to
enable them qualify for the award, which he said went with
“attractive prizes”.
Mr Ankomah-Sey, was addressing an educational forum for
cocoa farmers and others stakeholders in the cocoa industry,
in the district, to enhance awareness about the essence of
maintaining the quality of the crop at Nyankumase-Ahenkro in
the Assin-south district.
He echoed calls on farmers to refrain from using child
labour on their farms to the neglect of the children’s
education, and advised that such children could rather
accompany them to the farms during weekends.
He also repeated calls on them to endeavour to sell their
produce only to the Produce Buying Company (PBC) to enable
the company achieve its purchasing targets and also for the
farmers to qualify for available incentives.
Mr Peter Tandoh, Deputy Central Regional Manager of the
division, also stressed the need for cocoa farmers to help
maintain the quality of Ghana’s cocoa to sustain the high
premium placed on it on the international market.
He said it is only through this that the government would
continue to earn more foreign exchange to accelerate the
socio-economic development of the country to improve the
living standards of the citizenry.
Mr Tandoh, further pointed out that the bonuses paid to them
as well as the scholarships awarded to their children by the
government, in addition to other incentives they enjoy, were
as a result of the money accrued from the sale of Ghana’s
quality cocoa.
He exhorted them to adhere to the traditional methods of
fermentation, to maintain the quality of the cocoa beans.
Mr Owusu Boadi, a representative of the Cocoa Swollen-Shoot
Virus Disease Control Unit, advised them to endeavour to
promptly report to his outfit anytime they detect the
diseases on the farms.
In an address read for her, the District Chief Executive, Ms
Millicent Alice Korankye, underscored the importance of
cocoa and urged the farmers to attach importance to the
industry.
She advised the farmers to register with the National Health
Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them enjoy quality and
affordable health care delivery.
Nana Appiah Nuamah, Gyasehene of Assin Atandanso traditional
area, who presided, appealed to the government to ensure
that only the children of genuine cocoa farmers were awarded
scholarships to boost their morale.
GNA
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