The Head of Cocoa Protection at Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Professor Michael Kwateng, has called on cocoa farmers to unite against the growing threat of illegal mining, which continues to devastate farms and water bodies across the country. Speaking on GBC Volta Star Radio’s morning show “Ewedukorwo agbe nudi nami” this morning, he emphasized that COCOBOD cannot single-handedly address the issue.
He highlighted the introduction of a new cocoa producer price of GH₵1,300 per bag in September 2023 as a step to support farmers but acknowledged that more needs to be done. Professor Kwateng assured farmers of COCOBOD’s commitment to enforcing policies and measures to protect cocoa farms. He explained that the penalties also include a fine of 200,000 penalty units and compensation of 500,000 cedis per acre of destroyed cocoa farm.
Professor Michael Kwateng, encouraged cocoa farmers to take advantage of the improved producer price of GH₵1,300 per bag, emphasizing the profitability of cocoa farming under current conditions. He acknowledged the challenge of cocoa smuggling, particularly in the Volta Region, and assured that the government has implemented robust mechanisms to address the issue. He dismissed claims that farmers are unable to sell their cocoa due to a lack of funds, stating that proper arrangements have been made to ensure smooth purchasing processes across the country.
Professor Kwateng further announced plans to award scholarships to university students who are children of cocoa farmers, following the discontinuation of the medical students’ scholarship system due to financial challenges. As COCOBOD strengthens its interventions, the call for farmers to unite remains urgent to ensure the survival of Ghana’s cocoa industry, he added.
