Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive (CE) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), says farmers in Oti and Volta regions are smuggling almost every single cocoa bean they produce to the Republic of Togo.
From February to October, this year, COCOBOD has purchased only 70 bags of cocoa beans from farmers in the two regions, despite having the potential to offer the country about 10,000 metric tons of cocoa.
The disturbing development was disclosed at a presentation ceremony of items to best cocoa, coffee, shea nut farmers in Accra, on Thursday, last week.
Mr Joseph Aidoo also alleged that the two regions accounted for the overall shortfalls in cocoa production in the country.
He explained that last year, COCOBOD’s target was about 800,000 metric tons, but they were limited to the region of 650,000 metric tons.
Blaming the situation on the farmers, he said “but for the smuggling, we should now be doing about 850,000 metric.”
Meanwhile, COCOBOD is responsible for supplying subsidised agro-chemicals and spraying of cocoa farms in affected areas free of charge.
According to him, it hurts that after spending all these funds, farmers would pay the country back by smuggling almost all their produce to neighbouring countries to sell.
To him, something ought to be done urgently to save the situation and to enable his outfit reap the benefits of its investments.
He added that under his management, COCOBOD has guided farmers to increase their yields per acre, from three bags to about five and six bags per acre, adding “we have even seen farmers doing 20 bags per acre, and that is where we want every farmer to go.”
On the main programme, Mr. Aidoo congratulated the award winning farmers, not only for how much cocoa they have produced, but for their patriotism.
They are; Madam Adwoa Sintim, Madam Faustina Asamoah, George Opoku Koduah, Paul Kwame Baffoe and Sumaila Rukaya.
Mr Mac Manu, Board chairman of COCOBOD, on his part urged the farmers to follow keenly the advice of extension officers and agents to improve upon their yields.
He also pleaded with the farmers to consider selling their produce only to Ghana, adding that it is not a healthy practice for them to be supported by the country, and betray it in that manner.
Madam Adwoa Sintim, a 70-year-old cocoa farmer, who hails from Kokookrom in the Sankore District of the Ahafo Region, was presented with one Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick-up, a standard pruner, one carton royal & one carton 25g Chocolate and a plaque.
She was also given two Polo ‘T’ shirts, two Overalls with hat, two Safety goggle, two Respirators, two Ear protectors, two Hand gloves, two Wellington boots and one Motorised sprayer.
Madam Faustina Asamoah, a 64-year-old cocoa farmer from Assin Fosu received 1 Single cabin Mini Truck, 1 Standard Pruner , 1 Carton Royal & 1 Carton 25g Chocolate, a Plaque, 2 Polo ‘T’ shirts, 2 Overall with hat, 2 Safety goggle, 2 Respirators, 2 Ear protector, 2 Hand gloves, 2 Wellington boots and 1 Motorised sprayer
George Opoku Koduah, 35 was recognised as the Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer for Western South region for 2022. He received similar items as madam Faustina, but had a Tricycle in addition.
Sumaila Rukaya, 29, and from Daffiam/Bussie/Issa District of the Upper West Region, was hailed for being the best Shea nut picker. She was presented with a Tricycle, 5 pairs of Hand gloves, 2 Pairs of Wellington boots, 2 Overall with hat,1 Polo T Shirt, 4 Torch lights (Solar), 1 Carton of Royale and (1) Carton of 25g Chocolate, a Plaque, and 4 Machete.
Paul Kwame Baffoe, 65 was adjudged best coffee farmer. He hails from Bonkrom in the Droboso Community in Sunyani District of the Bono Region.
He was presented with a Tricycle, 5 pairs of Hand gloves, 2 pairs of Wellington boots, 2 Overall with hat, 1 Polo ‘T’ shirt, 4 Torch lights (Solar), 1 carton of Royale,1 Respirator, 1 carton of 25g Chocolate, a Plaque, 2 polo shirts and 1 Wellington boots.
The ceremony was necessitated by the fact that this year’s Farmer’s Day was organised at Tarkwa, for which the Board could not carry the items to the grounds.
