Mr Kennedy Osei Ampofo, an Officer at the Public Affairs Department of the Cocoa Health and Extensions Division, during the engagement acknowledged the hard work of the farmers, and promised them of COCOBOD’s readiness to continue supporting them to produce more cocoa for the country.
“We appreciate your efforts and hard work for the country, because cocoa is the back bone for Ghana’s economy.
That is the reason why even with the appreciation of the Ghanaian Cedi against the US dollar, we continue to buy a bag of cocoa at GHC3,100.00 from the last season till date,” he said.
Mr Ampofo also appealed to the farmers to desist from applying unapproved chemicals on their farms to help guarantee a good yield.
Mr Charles Kabotei Ocancy, the Deputy Western North Regional Manager for Cocoa Health and Extensions Division, urged the farmers who had not yet registered for the Cocoa Card to do so, saying no Cocoa Buying Company would be allowed to buy cocoa from farmers without the card from next season.
“Also, those who want to update their personal details should walk into the district office of Cocoa Health and Extensions Division to do so because the registration and updates does not attract any fee,” he added.
Mr Stephen Baidoo, the Bodi District Chief Executive, informed the farmers that plans were in place to increase the allocation of chemicals for the spraying of the cocoa black pod disease in the district, so that all the farmers would get their shares.
Nana Kwasi Ofori Ababio, the Chief of Sefwi Bodi, appealed to the government to reduce the prices of cocoa inputs, while making them available on the market to help ease the financial costs on farmers.
GNA
