Pension Scheme for Cocoa Farmers in Final Stages of Development – COCOBOD Chief

The COCOBOD Chief was addressing farmers at Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region, as part of his three-day tour of the region to interact with cocoa farmers and address some of the challenges facing them.

He further stated that COCOBOD is committed to improving the needs of the cocoa farmer, hence, the introduction of the Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEPs) to help boost productivity as well as the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.

Mr. Aidoo said the Board would continue to provide the needed incentive to motivate the farmers.

He however urged the hand pollinators to work harder since the success of the hand pollination exercise is dependent on them.

The District Chief Executive of the Atwima Mponua District, Williams Darko, commended COCOBOD for their enormous contribution to the development of the cocoa sector and improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.

He also pledged his commitment to support the cocoa industry, the mainstay of the Ghanaian economy.

“Let me use this opportunity to implore our cherished farmers to cooperate with COCOBOD to implement the PEPs to ensure a sustainable cocoa economy”, he added.

According to the District Chief Executive, the interventions introduced by COCOBOD do not only improve the productivity of the farmers but also serve as a source of employment for the youth.

“A lot of the youth who but for the intervention would have been unemployed have now gained employment as pollinators, mass spraying gang members as well as pruners. Children of farmers and our unemployed youth have gained employment and we can only commend COCOBOD for making the President promise of creating employment a reality”, he said.

The team later addressed farmers, at Nkawie, Tepa and Mankraso in the Ashanti Region.