Joseph Boahen Aidoo with his entourage after receiving the award
President Alassane Ouatarra has conferred Ivorian top honour award on Cocobod Chief Executive, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, for his meritorious service to the cocoa industry.
Mr Aidoo and his Ivorian counterpart, Yves Brahima Kone were jointly awarded Commander of the National of the Merit of Cote d’Ivoire at the 7th National Cocoa Day celebration.
Cocoa is Côte d’Ivoire top income earner, contributing 40% of the country’s export.
The recipients were decorated by Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko at a ceremony in Yamoussoukro, the political capital.
Mr Aidoo was recognized for spearheading the process to put more money into the pockets of cocoa farmers through the implementation of Living Income Differential (LID).
Cote d’Ivoire is deriving huge windfall for its cocoa, raking in over $800million for farmers.
The West African country is the largest cocoa producing country world.
With Ghana, the two countries produce 65% of world market.
With the LID shoring the income of cocoa farmers following the drop in cocoa prices President Alassane Ouattara was of the new innovative pricing system was coming at the right time.
With over two million tonnes of cocoa produced every year, each cocoa farmer is going home with $400 extra income on each tonne of cocoa.
The Ivorian leader showered praises on Mr Aidoo and his counterparts for bringing succuor to cocoa farmers.
Mr Ouatarra said the LID deal was achieved because of the good relationship he enjoys with Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He said the two leaders showed strong commitment to the project after the signing of the MoU in Accra during a State Visit two years ago.
He paid tribute to the cocoa farmers for supporting the economies of the two nations.
Cocobod Chief Executive, Joseph Boahen Aidoo said the two leaders deserve the commendation saying that its the greatest legacy for the two Presidents.
He thanked President Ouatarra for according him the highest recognition in life.
The LID, he says has come to stay, calling on the two countries to continue to work together.
From Fortune Alimi, Yamoussoukro