Nana Johnson Mensah (right) in a group photograph with the best cocoa farmers
Nana Johnson Mensah, Cocoa Farmers’ representative on the Board of Directors of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), who also doubles as the Western South Regional Chief Farmer, has applauded the government of Ghana and COCOBOD for maintaining the producer price of cocoa for 2018/2019 cocoa season.
He praised government and COCOBOD for keeping the producer price at GH¢7,600 per tonne in view of the decline in prices of cocoa on the world market over the past three years.
“The price at which COCOBOD buys cocoa from farmers is far better than the prices in other neighbouring cocoa producing countries,” he added.
Nana Johnson made the remarks at a send-off party organized in honour of the 2017 National Best Cocoa Farmers, who were on a tour of the United Kingdom (UK) as part of their award package.
Addressing the farmers, Matilda Alomatu Osei Agyemang, Head of Chancery, who represented Ghana’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, congratulated the best cocoa farmers on winning the awards and encouraged them to work hard to sustain the country’s major export commodity which has been the backbone of Ghana’s economy for many years.
Mrs. Osei Agyemang was particularly happy with young cocoa farmers, who were working so hard to win awards in various categories and used the opportunity to call on Ghanaian youth to take up cocoa farming.
Head of Public Affairs Department of COCOBOD and leader of the delegation, Noah Amenyah, implored Ghanaians abroad to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities that exist in the cocoa industry to add value to the crop.
Mr. Amenyah revealed that COCOBOD and government of Ghana had resolved to ensure the processing of at least 50% of cocoa produced in the country to boost local consumption and also insulate the country’s major cash crop against world price volatility.
He seized the opportunity to throw more light on the nutritional and health benefits of consuming cocoa and called on all to cultivate the habit of making cocoa a part of daily menu.
There were also fraternity messages from the UK Office of Ghana’s Forestry Commission and other dignitaries.
While in the UK, the farmers had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with cocoa processing facilities and other related events.
Meanwhile, the National Best Cocoa Farmers were sponsored by COCOBOD as part of the award scheme of the Board to motivate farmers and also attract the youth into cocoa farming.
They included Osman Yakubu, 2017 National Best Cocoa Farmer, Philip Essien, 2017 Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer and Cecilia Danso, Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer.
Other officials who embarked on the trip included Nana Obeng Akrofi, farmers’ representative on the Board of COCOBOD, who is also the Eastern Regional Chief Farmer and member of the Ghana Cocoa Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (COCOSHE).