MR. KWAME Pianim, an Economist and Investment Consultant, has commended members of the Kuapa Kokoo Limited (KKL) for their great contribution to the progress of the economy.

According to him, the efforts of farmers, particularly cocoa farmers in the country, needed commendation as their activities help increase the country's foreign exchange rate base.

He therefore appealed to cocoa farmers who smuggle cocoa beans to foreign countries with the hope of gaining more profit, to put an end to the practice as it was affecting the economy.

He said if the farmers continue to divert cocoa to other countries, the cocoa industry could collapse as the focus of the international world would shift to the country's oil.

Mr. Pianim gave the commendation in a speech at the 14th Annual General Meeting of Kuapa Kokoo recently in Kumasi.

He pointed out that there were a lot of resources in the country, and stressed that the only thing left for Ghanaians was how to properly train the youth to manage the resources.

The President of KKL, Mr. P.C.K. Buah, on his part, said the association was doing its best to improve the welfare of cocoa farmers in the country, saying it had therefore adopted several ways and methods that could boost the activities of its members.

According to him, the company's micro finance unit was always providing financial support to all Kuapa farmers so that they would not put their financial burden on government.

Mr. Buah said through the assistance the farmers get from the micro finance unit, most of them had redeemed their mortgage farms whilst others had succeeded in sending their wards to school.

He therefore appealed to the framers to pay their loans so as to enable the company re-loan it to others.

He noted that the association's foreign partner, Divine Company in the United Kingdom, had contributed a lot to the company in terms of dividends, disclosing that the company in 2007 received £47,379 as dividend from Divine Company.

He said the company was currently at the verge of concluding an arrangement for a loan facility from Comic Relief for its trading wing.

Madam Comfort Kumah, Secretary and Trust Chairperson of KKL, said due to the efforts and hard work of members particularly the cocoa farmers, the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Trust had rehabilitated a total of 45 water projects, five corn mills and palm oil extraction machines for various communities and societies.

She added that there were a lot of KVIPs that had been rehabilitated by the company, and maintained that some more projects would be rehabilitated and new ones constructed in the coming year.

From Stella Danso, Kumasi Source: Daily Guide - Daily Guide