Government to Make Huge Investment in Cocoa Production 

Government has assured of a massive investment in cocoa production from this year, towards improved production of the commodity. 

The investment, to cost the government huge sums of money, will be in the provision of free supply of agro- inputs to the cocoa farmers to enhance their yields and also the construction of more roads connecting cocoa growing communities across the country which is expected to start after the rains have subsided. 

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Eric Opoku disclosed this at a cocoa farmers’ durbar held at Sankore in the Asuafo South District of Brong Ahafo.

The Regional Minister revealed that Brong Ahafo region alone has been allocated the COCOBOD-approved fertilizer to cover 28 thousand hectares of old cocoa farms, while, the Regional Coordinating Council has again taken delivery of Ammonia Sulphate for onward supply to farmers whose old cocoa trees were recently destroyed to boost growth of their new cocoa. 

Mr. Opoku disclosed also that COCOBOD has released funds for the construction of roads leading to cocoa growing areas. 

The roads project is in two parts. While some of the earmarked roads will receive bitumen surfacing, the others will be tarred. 

Mr. Opoku mentioned for instance, the Nobeko-Sankore road as one of those roads to be tarred and that work will start as soon as the rains subside. 

The Regional Minister said the quality of Ghana’s cocoa, which is acclaimed globally as the best, greatly depends on the farmers especially in the fermentation of the beans. 

Mr. Opoku therefore entreated farmers to ensure the application of the approved chemicals as well as adequate fermentation of their produce in order to sustain Ghana’s credibility at the international level. 

The Asunafo South District Manager of the Quality Control Division of COCOBOD, Mr. Etandoh, asked the cocoa licensed buying companies to always adhere to all the standards for cocoa production saying that his company will not compromise on the quality of Ghana’s cocoa, which, according to him, has now become the global benchmark for chocolate production.


GBC