COCOBOD deploys directors to all 16 regions to improve cocoa production

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has deployed directors to all 16 regions of the country as part of efforts to improve coordination, collaboration and efficiency in cocoa production and stakeholder engagement.

Central Regional Director of COCOBOD, Samuel Addo Agyakwa, said the move would strengthen the coordination of activities among the various divisions of the cocoa regulator and improve monitoring of operations across the country.

Speaking to journalists at Agona Swedru, Mr Agyakwa explained that the decision followed the government’s assessment that the cocoa industry needed to expand and become more efficient.

He noted that COCOBOD operates through several divisions, including the Quality Control Company, Seed Production Division and Cocoa Health and Extension Division, each of which has managers responsible for its operations.

However, he said there had been limited coordination between the various divisions and the higher level of management, creating the need for regional directors to provide stronger leadership and oversight.

“There are various Divisions under Ghana COCOBOD such as Quality Control Company, Seed Production Division and Cocoa Health and Extension Division, and they all have Managers; there was very little coordination with the upper level, hence the need for Directors,” he said.

Mr Agyakwa said the regional directors would meet with managers of the various divisions to develop monitoring systems and ensure that activities remained on track and aligned with COCOBOD’s objectives.

“Government's expectation is that putting Directors at the top will improve crop production. After meetings, the Directors then meet Managers of various Divisions to discuss ways and means of putting in a monitoring system to ensure that each Division is on track in accordance with the prospects of COCOBOD,” he stressed.

Support for farmers

Mr Agyakwa said the government also planned to support cocoa farmers throughout the farming cycle, from the beginning of cultivation through to harvesting.

He said farmers would be provided with quality inputs and technical support while being encouraged to adopt modern farming practices to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

“We carry out a series of farmer education and sensitisation programmes stressing on the need to work closely with Ghana Cocoa Board through its various Divisions to prevent post-harvest losses,” he said.

He urged farmers, particularly those whose farms share boundaries, to cooperate with one another and maintain their farms to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.

Mr Agyakwa warned that poorly maintained farms could become breeding grounds for insects and diseases that could spread to neighbouring farms.

“Most of the time, some 'absent' farmers leave their farms unkempt for a long time, thus attracting numerous insects to attack the farms,” he said.

He added that in such situations, even mass spraying exercises might not be sufficient to protect neighbouring farms from diseases.

The Central Regional Director assured farmers that the government would continue to seek support for the supply of insecticides and other inputs needed to control crop diseases and improve the quality of cocoa produced.

Call for youth participation

Mr Agyakwa also encouraged young people to consider cocoa farming as a viable investment opportunity, stressing that government interventions were designed to support farmers from the seedling stage through to harvesting.

“I want to take this opportunity to encourage the Youth to go into farming, especially in the Cocoa Industry, because Government is committed to supporting them from seedlings to harvesting; every stage is almost free without stress for the farmer. You only need Land,” he said.

He said the Cocoa Health and Extension Division would continue to provide farmers with technical guidance to improve production and farm management.

Mr Agyakwa further encouraged individuals who might not want to engage directly in farming to consider investing in the cocoa industry through partnerships.

“I will like to advise the youth and everyone to consider investing in the cocoa industry and they won't regret their investment. One cannot necessary be a farmer but can join hands with investment in partnership to derive a substantial amount of money,” he said.

He underscored the importance of cocoa to Ghana’s economy and urged farmers and stakeholders to remain committed to sustaining the sector.

“Without Cocoa, Ghana wouldn't have been at where we are today. So at any point in time Government's decision is to help support the cocoa sector to be sustained,” he stated.

Mr Agyakwa also urged cocoa farmers to have confidence in government interventions and remain committed to improving production as part of efforts to strengthen the industry and contribute to Ghana’s economic growth.