In 2019, the previous government under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) purchased farm tools valued at over $100 million for cocoa farmers. However, the tools have remained unused, gathering dust in warehouses of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), after farmers rejected them outright.

According to Jerome Sam, Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, the rejection stemmed from a lack of stakeholder consultation.

He explained that the tools were “unfit for purpose,” with farmers complaining that some machines were too heavy to carry, while others were too short to reach the height of cocoa trees.

“This clearly shows that no consultation whatsoever was made. If farmers had been consulted, they would have provided specifications regarding how the machines should be designed or the type of equipment they needed for their farming activities,” he said.

He further criticised the management at the time for failing to renegotiate with producers after the rejection.

COCOBOD assures farmers of no further cocoa price cuts

“Ideally, after procuring the tools and having the farmers reject them, arrangements could have been made with the producers to renegotiate, perhaps return the tools or replace them with suitable ones. Unfortunately, management at that time did not see any reason or benefit in making such arrangements, and the equipment has been abandoned for several years now,” he added.

Recent visits by COCOBOD board members to farms in the Eastern Region revealed hundreds of pruners and slashers lying unused in a warehouse in Bosuso.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, COCOBOD has disbursed GH¢4.2 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to settle payments owed to cocoa farmers since November last year.

The move forms part of broader reforms announced in February by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, aimed at restructuring the cocoa sector, clearing arrears, and restoring confidence among farmers and other stakeholders.

SA/MA

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