By
Gideon Pepprah, GNA
Kumasi, Dec. 15, GNA
– Nana Abraham Adusei, President of the Ghana Best Farmers’ Association, has
said there is the need for policy makers in the cocoa industry, to actively involve
cocoa farmers in all decision-making processes.
“Cocoa farmers who
are the key players in the industry, bearing the brunt of the challenges on the
ground, are mostly left out in the making of vital decisions concerning their
work,” he said.
“It is not suitable
for someone outside to speak on our behalf, because, the real issues
confronting us, especially those bothering on our welfare and sustainable
development of the cocoa industry, are not dealt with to our maximum
satisfaction,” Nana Adusei observed.
The biggest flaw to
cocoa sustainability, he said, was the lack of recognition for the poor cocoa
farmer, who toils 24 hours to produce cocoa, bracing all the accompanying odds
and difficulties on the farm.
Nana Adusei was
addressing a general meeting of the World Cocoa Farmers’ Organization (WCFO) in
Kumasi, a programme that brought together participants from Cote d’Ivoire,
Jamaica, Nigeria, Tunisia, and others from across the globe.
“Consolidating the
Cocoa Farmer’s Voice – a Key to Sustainable Cocoa Production and Improved
Livelihood”, was the theme for the event.
Nana Adusei, who is
also the President of the WCFO, lauded cocoa farmers for their commitment to
duty, counselling adherence to good farming practices for increased
productivity.
He called on
government to support the cocoa sector since it is critical to Ghana’s
socio-economic growth and wealth creation.
Baffour Owusu
Amankwatia, Bantamahene, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,
called for more benefits and incentive packages for cocoa farmers.
This, he said, was
necessary to motivate them to work hard for increased yields.
GNA
