Features
COCOBOD: What is happening?
Reports from many cocoa growing regions in the country indicate that many cocoa farmers have not been paid by the Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for their purchased cocoa in the last two months even though the main cocoa season is tapering off.
Many cocoa farmers are reportedly in distress and anguish as a result of the non-payment of their already purchased cocoa beans. The health and economic implications to such farmers cannot be easily quantified.
And such farmers are compelled to seek for loans with very high interest payments, just to meet their basic needs.
Painfully, such a situation defeats government’s effort at investing more in the cocoa sector to motivate farmers to boost production to meet the projected target of one million metric tonnes annually.
In my view, it is only COCOBOD that can properly explain what is happening to our distressed cocoa farmers across the country.
Why am I saying so? As established, the functions of COCOBOD include production, research, extension, internal and external marketing and quality control of cocoa.
The functions are classified into two main sectors; pre-harvest and post-harvest, which are performed by specialised subsidiaries and divisions.
Now, COCOBOD, please listen. In the Buem District of the Oti Region, for example, it is reported that from just five LBCs, cocoa farmers are owed about GH¢ 12 million, representing about 17,000 bags of cocoa beans purchased by the LBCs but not paid for.
In the Western North Region, reports also indicate that only Cargill cocoa sourcing companies are adequately resourced to be paying for cocoa purchased from our farmers.
So, the question is: What is preventing COCOBOD from releasing funds to all the relevant LBCs to enable them to pay the farmers for cocoa beans purchased?
COCOBOD recently secured 1.3 billion-dollar loan facility to purchase cocoa beans for the 2020/21 crop season.
The loan facility is expected to assist COCOBOD to make upfront payment of cocoa beans it buys from cocoa farmers. If that is the case, then what is happening?
It must be noted most cocoa farmers depend on proceeds from the sale of their cocoa beans to fend for themselves and their families, besides hiring more farmhands in the preparation of new farmlands for subsequent farming seasons.
The cocoa proceeds also pay school fees of wards and children of cocoa farmers, apart from catering for their medical and domestic utility bills.
The 2017/18 Ghana Census of Agriculture(GCA) survey reveals that agricultural activities in Ghana still remain rural and rudimentary, with little innovation and moderniSation, and which is even made worse by an aging farmer population.
And so how do we improve the already dire situation with the concomitant delay in the payment of cocoa farmers who have legitimately sold their beans to the LBCs?
Experts say, to achieve any significant difference in terms of the results, the current modes of operation and characteristics of the persons and institutions engaged in agriculture in Ghana must be totally overhauled.
According to Professor Samuel Annim, Government Statiscian, there must be a deliberate strategy to attract the youth, especially those with tertiary-level education, among whom unemployment is high and who the census shows have very low participation in agriculture. But from what is confronting cocoa farmers now, how do we do it?
Readers, COCOBOD has projected cocoa production in Ghana to exceed 800,000 metric tonnes for the new crop season.
This is against the backdrop that in 2017 the government launched an ambitious plan to increase Ghana’s cocoa production to one million metric tonnes per annum.
Records indicate that currently, Ghana produces between 700,000 and 800,000 metric tonnes of cocoa annually.
Co-incidentally, however, cocoa farmers in Cote d’ Ivoire seem to be facing similar predicament.
Reportedly, cocoa farmers in the towns of Soubre, Daloa and Yamousoukro protested recently outside the offices of Le Conseil du Cafe Cacao (CCC), regulators of the Ivorian cocoa industry.
The reason? Reportedly, cocoa buyers are refusing to pay farmers and so beans are piling up in warehouses upcountry, thus, compelling some desperate cocoa farmers to sleep outside the offices of Cote d’ivoire’s cocoa regulator to demand action.
In Cote d’Ivoire’s situation, some analysts explain that it is due to the global chocolate standoff, whilst innocent farmers suffer for it.
The analysts claim that the large global chocolate makers and cocoa processors are deliberately trying to cut costs to derail the payment of the innovative Living Income Differential of $400 per a metric tonne of cocoa purchased from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
Consequently, last year, the analysts contend that some of the global companies sourced large quantities of cocoa beans through the New York futures market, where beans were cheaper than the physical cocoa market.
According to the analysts, the large global cocoa companies were trying to dodge the payment of the West African premium, called the Living Income Differential.
The cooperation by Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire to demand $400 per metric tonne of cocoa was intended to boost income of our poor cocoa farmers.
But some of the big-time cocoa traders, processors and chocolate makers claim that the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire innovative plan which was recently implemented, is an OPEC-style attempt to boost prices that lacked the supply and demand economics, which is key to the OPEC cartel’s success.
Remember? Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, together produce over 60 per cent of the world’s cocoa but enjoy less than two per cent of the world’s 110 billion-dollar chocolate industry.
The question to COCOBOD, however, is: In Ghana’s situation, what is the problem? And how do we resolve it once and for all, in the face of the mountainous difficulties confronting agriculture generally in Ghana?
G. Frank Asmah
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
