COCOBOD releases over GH¢21m for payment of cocoa bonuses

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has released an amount of the GH¢21,228,637.11 (Twenty One million, Two Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty Seven Ghana Cedis, Eleven Ghana Pesewas) for the payment of the second tranche of bonuses to cocoa farmers for the 2007/2008 crop year.

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, said an amount of GH¢32.00 per tonne or GH¢2.00 per 64kg. of cocoa is to be paid and assured Cocoa farmers it will continue to provide them with such incentives to motivate them to produce premium quality cocoa for export.

“In fulfillment of Government's pledge to pay bonuses twice a year to cocoa farmers, the Management of Ghana Cocoa Board is pleased to inform all stakeholders in the cocoa industry, particularly cocoa farmers that the Board has released funds totaling GH¢21,228,637.11…”

The Cocoa Board listed some 19 Licensed Buying Companies it said were to dispense with the bonuses.

These included Produce Buying Company Ltd, Olam Ghana Limited, Akuafo Adamfo Marketing Company Ltd, Adwumapa Buyers Ltd, Federated Commodities Ltd and Cocoa Merchants Ghana Ltd.