Cocoa farmers call on COCOBOD to pay them

Drobo (B/A), Feb 18, GNA - Cocoa farmers in Jaman South District of Brong Ahafo have called for the immediate payment of all cocoa purchased by COCOBOD to save them from further financial hardships. They called on the Cocoa Purchasing Company, COCOBOD, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Ministry of Finance to collaborate to effect the payment.

At a press conference at Drobo Nana Bosea Williams, the Chief Farmer of Sefwi Boseakrom in the Western Region, expressed regret that farmers who went to the Drobo Community Bank, Kaaseman Rural Bank and Bia Torya Community Bank to cash their cheques returned home empty-handed as they were told monies for payment for their Akuafo cheques had not as yet been transferred to the banks.

He said the farmers were therefore not able to pay their children's school and called for a lasting solution to the problem as farmers were gradually losing confidence in the Akuafo cheque system. Agya Poku, another prominent cocoa farmer, said delays in the payment of their cheques derailed their plans for the expansion of their farms or self-development and appealed for the regular payment of cocoa purchased.

The farmers appealed for the rehabilitation of the deplorable roads leading to their farms and cocoa sheds.