Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has declared that the pension scheme for cocoa farmers will be launched this year.
During his visit to Kumasi as part of a three-day tour of the Ashanti region, Dr. Bawumia conveyed to the farmers that the database of cocoa farmers has been compiled, and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCBOD) has confirmed the commencement of the scheme within the current year.
The objective of the pension scheme is to furnish cocoa farmers with retirement benefits, ensuring financial stability during their later years.
Dr. Bawumia also addressed the necessity for the government to reassess the cocoa spraying program to optimize its benefits for the farmers and enhance the distribution of agricultural inputs.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the government has been guaranteeing that farmers receive 78 percent of the global cocoa price, underscoring the administration’s dedication to enabling farmers to reap the rewards of their labor.
At the gathering, several cocoa farmers advocated for further increases in cocoa prices and urged the government to escalate its efforts against illegal mining (galamsey) activities, which are causing harm to their farms.