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Cocoa Abrabopa holds AGM, urges COCOBOD to strengthen its productivity programme
Cocoa Abrabopa Association (CAA), a farmer-based organisation has held its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) with a call on the government and COCOBOD to strengthen its Productivity Enhancement Programs and make available timely release and distribution of subsidized inputs to farmers.
They also appealed to the government to make cocoa farming attractive for the youth to engage in it.
Held in Danyame in Kumasi, the annual event brought together over four thousand cocoa farmers from the five cocoa-growing regions in Ghana namely Ashanti, Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Western South, and Central Regions.
Updating shareholders on the association’s performance for 2022, the Council Chairman of the Association, Ismail Pomasi argued the delay of money from COCOBOD since three months ago which is to enable them to pay the farmers.
For him, the 2023/2024 cocoa season commenced three months ago, however, the local Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) were yet to receive Seed Funds from COCOBOD to enable them to buy the Ghanaian cocoa farmers’ beans; this they described as a worry to the Association.
“We want the frequent delay in the release of the Seed Fund from the Ghana Cocoa Board to LBCs to be re-looked at because the challenge is collapsing the operations of indigenous LBCs therefore reducing supplies of certified cocoa volumes demanded by CAA’s customers” he stated.
Mr Pomasi made a passionate appeal to COCOBOD and the government to strengthen its Productivity Enhancement Programs and initiate a more concerted effort to combat galamsey activities in cocoa-growing regions in Ghana.
In its quest to improve premium payments to beneficiary members, he said the Association had introduced a Digital Payment System (MoMo) in 2021 to serve members devoid of inconveniences and offered them the opportunity to make bulk payments to members within the shortest possible time in a more transparent manner.
“We have further introduced the Living Income Sustainability Initiative for the economic development of members, their households, and communities and that’s the surest blueprint to cocoa sustainability. It is for this reason that CAA has partnered with one of the finest customers Alfred Ritter GmbH, a chocolate manufacturer of the Ritter Sport brand of chocolate products to undertake varied degrees of interventions ranging from easy transport system for moving cocoa beans from farm to the Society, farming equipment and inputs, access to potable drinking water and on-farm additional livelihoods to improve the living conditions of members at RITTER SPORT designated areas”.
“It is gratifying to note that since the inception of the initiative in 2022, a total of 22 tricycles, 30 units of SOLO mist blowers, 4 Mechanized Boreholes with washroom facilities, Agrochemical Inputs Shop and a 2 Snail Farming start-up packages have been commissioned and handed over to beneficiary groups in Bogoso, Tarkwa Aboso, Bonsa and Amantin operational areas all in Western South Cocoa Region of Ghana” he stated.
Sustainability Manager, Wilfred Apiung, on his part, stated that, despite the challenges, the Association was committed to improving the livelihoods and incomes of cocoa farmers through gender equity and sustainable cocoa production across the six cocoa growing regions.
“We are committed to improving the income levels of farmers to bring them above the living income benchmark. We look at some cost components that can reduce their burden and support them,” he said.
The Operations Manager for CAA, Roland Obosu in his remarks urged the farmers to let the increase in premium payment to motivate them to produce quality cocoa that would meet the standards, help increase local sourcing and contribute to the local economy.
“The increase in premium payment for you, our farmers, is part of the Association’s commitment towards developing thriving and resilient communities within our 39 operational areas,” he said.
Acting Executive Secretary for CAA, Patrick John Van Brakel mentioned that these initiatives were to ensure all the farmers conform to the newly introduced Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System and the new Rainforest Alliance Standard. This, he said, is to position the Association ahead of any International Standards.
The leaders of the farmer groups recounted that the sustainable farm training and support from Cocoa Abrabopa has been beneficial to their cocoa production.
They were grateful to CAA for introducing and teaching them alternative livelihoods.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
