Cocoa farmers in the country have praised President Akufo-Addo for the significant increase in the cocoa producer price for the 2023/2024 season and other government interventions.
They feel the support and recognition are unprecedented and have saved their farms from collapsing, positioning the country to potentially become the largest cocoa producer globally.
The President of the Best Cocoa Farmers Association, Charles Gyemfi, expressed this appreciation during a visit to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra on January 13, 2024.
Mr Gyemfi, who was the 2018 National Best Cocoa Farmer and 2019 National Best Farmer, said they were initially skeptical when they heard of the 2023/2024 prices because no such increases had occurred before.
Hence “If it goes on like that, we will not give you show down, but show up,” he said.
What were the government’s interventions?
Before 2017, the cocoa industry was facing a serious problem called swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD). Mr. Gyemfi explained that President Akufo-Addo stepped in to help by cutting down the affected trees, compensating farmers, and planting new ones at no cost to the farmers.
This action not only got rid of the disease but also resulted in more food crops being grown alongside cocoa.
This, in turn, increased income for the farmers and made sure they had enough food, providing food security.
“We recognised the efforts of the government in uplifting the industry with initiatives such as the provision of mechanisation and irrigation, pruning, hand pollination, strategic early mass spraying and value addition,” he added.
Additionally, Mr. Gyemfi urged the President to make sure that enough money was available to pay farmers as soon as they sold their cocoa at the start of the season in order to prevent smuggling.
Meanwhile, around 50 farmers, including the best cocoa farmers, young farmers, and the best female cocoa farmer, were part of the group.
Clad in while the farmers happily danced with President Akufo-Addo to say thank you.
Leading the group were Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, and Mr. Peter Mac Manu, the Chairman of COCOBOD’s Board. Dr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, was also there at the event.