Joseph Boahen-Aidoo (right) presenting the keys to a brand new pick up to Charles Gyamfi
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on Farmers’ Day declared 58-year-old Charles Gyamfi, a cocoa farmer at Anokyekrom in the Brong Ahafo Region, as the National Best Cocoa Farmer for 2018.
The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, presented Mr. Gyamfi with prizes and thanked him for his invaluable contribution to the cocoa industry.
This year’s main event was held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
The farmer was presented with a Toyota Hilux pickup, a motorised slasher, motorised pruner, motorised sprayer, a set of protective clothing, 20 litres of Akate Master for 50 acres (2 rounds), 300 sachets of fungicide for 50 acres (3 rounds), a carton of pyramid chocolate products and a glass plaque.
While presenting the items, the CEO of COCOBOD, congratulated the Best Farmer and urged him to continue to adopt best sustainable farming practices which would improve his yield.
“This vehicle, which is being given to you today, among other items, is to facilitate your work as a cocoa farmer, and to acknowledge your contributions to the cocoa industry in Ghana,” he asserted.
“COCOBOD is deeply interested in the welfare of all categories of farmers. And it will continue to work with all key stakeholders to ensure that farmers get adequate technical support in managing their farms and equally receive the right payment for their produce,” Mr. Aidoo added.
Having accepted the honour, Charles Gyamfi acknowledged the immense contribution programmes of COCOBOD such as the productivity enhancement programmes (PEP) and the artificial hand pollination initiative have made to his farm.
Mr. Gyamfi has been a cocoa farmer for decades. He has 100.88 hectares of mixed and hybrid cocoa farms at Anokyekrom and Sankore-both in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Besides, COCOBOD rewarded other farmers at the farmers’ day event.
Ekua Brenya from the Ashanti Region was adjudged the Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer; the Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer was Paul Osei Tuffour from the Brong Ahafo Region; Rose Duku from the Brong Ahafo Region was named the Best Coffee Farmer.
Akua Bantong from the Northern Region was adjudged the Best Shea Nut Picker.
Regional and district best cocoa and coffee farmers, as well as shea nut pickers all over the country were rewarded by COCOBOD for their hard work and contributions to the development of the country.