The management of Ghana Cocoa Board has presented various award packages to the deserving winners of the 2023 national cocoa farmers awards during a ceremony at Cocoa House in Accra.
The packages, which include vehicles and cash amounts, are part of the Board’s commitment to encouraging large and smallholder farmers to upscale their production capacity in the cocoa sector.
The Chief Executive of Cocobod, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, acknowledged the tremendous efforts and contributions of cocoa farmers to the country’s development.
He said amidst unfavourable weather conditions, pest and disease infestations, and other related attacks on Ghana’s cocoa sector, the farmers have remained resolute, contributing to their quota in the country’s quest to become the leading cocoa producer on the continent.
Aidoo indicated that “Cocobod awarding these deserving farmers is to motivate them to increase their production capacities, and it has been a result of their patriotism and willingness to support the sector.”
“For two years, the weather pattern has not been favourable. Still, you have done exceptionally well in producing cocoa, even though we have experienced a reduction in production quantity,” he added.
He also seized the opportunity to change the misconception of women cocoa farmers being denied land to undertake various agricultural practices.
“There is a huge misconception that women in agriculture are denied access to land to undertake farming activities.
The notation that in Ghana women are discriminated against is a misconception and evidence that this year’s best farmer was awarded to a woman,” insisted the Cocobod boss.
He reiterated that women in the cocoa sector are dominating land acquisition due to the matrilineal system of inheritance largely practised in major cocoa-producing regions of the country.
The Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division of Cococbod (CHED) and chairman of the 2023 Farmers Day Planning Committee, Rev Edwin Afari advocated for farmers to adopt good agronomical practices to increase cocoa yields.
Award Recipient
The 2021 Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer, Madam Adwoa Sintim of Sankore in the Ahafo region, was adjudged the 2023 National Best Cocoa Farmer, held on December 1 at Tarkwa in the Western Region.
She received one Toyota Hilux double-cabin pick-up vehicle, a standard pruner and motorised sprayer, personal protective gear, a plaque, and assorted cocoa products.
Madam Faustina Asamoah who won the 2023 National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer also received a single-cabin mini truck, one tricycle, a standard pruner and motorised sprayer, personal protective gear, a plaque, and assorted cocoa products.
George Opoku Koduah, the 2023 National Most Promising Cocoa Farmer award recipient, also took home one single-cabin mini truck, a standard pruner and motorised sprayer, personal protective gear, a plaque, and assorted cocoa products.
Paul Kwame Baffoe, who was adjudged as the 2023 National Best Coffee Farmer, received a plaque, one tricycle vehicle, PPEs, assorted cocoa products, solar torchlight and farm implements.
Madam Sumilia Rukaya also received her award package for emerging as the 2023 National Best Shea Picker.
Other award winners at the regional and district levels were also presented with their award packages at the ceremony.
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