Government to embark on mass spraying of cocoa

The government would soon embark on mass spraying of cocoa farms in the major cocoa growing areas against the black pod disease, President John Agyekum Kufuor said on Thursday.

He said in addition, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has been directed to pay all bonuses due to farmers for cocoa purchased during the 2000 main crop season.

President Kufuor was addressing the chiefs and people of Hwidiem in the Asutifi District on the first day of his four-day official visit to the Brong Ahafo Region.

Food and cash crop farmers would also be assisted under the Emergency Social Relief Programme (ESRP) launched in Accra last Tuesday, he said.

The President pledged the government's assistance to improve the road infrastructure, health facilities, potable water and provision of other basic amenities under its rural development programme.

He, therefore, called on Ghanaians not to allow themselves to be intimidated by any group of people but to rally behind the government to ensure that democratic rule succeeds in Ghana.

Nana Osuodumgya, Barima Kwame Bonsu, Omanhene of Hwidiem Traditional Area, said the victory of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) "has ushered in a period of hope and prosperity for the country".

He appealed to the government to ensure that all towns along the Bechem-Junction to Goaso were connected to the national grid to facilitate the establishment of cottage industries.

Nana Bonsu called for the establishment of a district hospital at Kenyase, the Asutifi District capital, to augment the operations of the Hwidiem Mission Hospital.

Nana Bonsu called for a review of the free medical care for the aged from 70 years to 60 years, since most farmers die before attaining the age of 70.