Nana Nyarko II (inset) addressing some cocoa farmers and UGBS alumni association at the palace
Executive Members of the Alumni Association of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked this year’s celebration of Chocolate Day with farmers in Kwahu Bepong in the Eastern Region.
Kwahu Bepong Chief and Kwahu Dwantoahene of Kwahu Traditional area, Nana Nyarko II, welcomed the group to his palace and thanked them for taking time to celebrate this year’s Chocolate Day with farmers.
President of UGBS Alumni Association, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, indicated that Kwahu Bepong was renowned for its cocoa production in Ghana hence their visit to the town.
He stressed the importance of cocoa to the economy of the country and congratulated the farmers for their contribution. “It is rather unfortunate that during Chocolate Day celebrations, farmers who work hard to produce cocoa, which is later exported to make chocolate, are mostly forgotten,” he said.
Chief Farmer of Kwahu Bepong, Johnson Sumoah, outlined the challenges associated with their work and shared their experiences with the association’s executives.
He mentioned that the youth of the town had no interest in cocoa farming, especially since there was little money in the business and therefore suggested that the group encouraged the youth to take part in the cocoa business to boost production in the town.
Another cocoa farmer, Emma Bosompeng, suggested to the members of the association to speak to the government on their behalf to support the uneducated cocoa farmers financially concerning their pensions.
The cocoa farmers pleaded through the association’s executives for government to provide them with pesticides.
The farmers and their children were given bars of chocolate to celebrate the day.