Public Agenda (Accra)
Selorm Amevor
22 August 2008
President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for an integrated sub-regional approach to the fight against diseases affecting the cocoa industry in the subregion.
He said despite the numerous strides made in the cocoa industry, government's in the sub-region continue to battle with cocoa diseases such as swollen shoot, black pod, monilia and witches broom which turn to affect the growth of the industry.
Although cocoa is grown in several areas throughout the world, the subregion produces nearly three-quarters of the world's cocoa with Côte d'Ivoire being the largest producer followed by Ghana, representing over 40 percent of the world's supply.
The President made the call during the commissioning of the newly constructed 50,000 tonnes Cocobod Warehouse complex at Tema built by the Ghana Cocoa board to reduce seasonal congestion at the Tema Harbour.
According to President Kufuor, the building of the warehouse was in line with current challenges of the international commodity trade that called for the adoption of international practices within warehouses.
President Kufuor announced that the government has approved all initiatives by the Cocobod to help them expand facilities at the takeover centers and ensure the sustained growth of the cocoa industry.
Some of these initiatives include the consistent improvements in payment of remunerative producer prices at not less than 70 percent of earned FOB price, bi-annual payment of bonuses to farmers, relentless pursuit of a nationwide pest and disease control program and the adoption of recommended Hi-tech practices through the spraying and application of fertilizers.
He commended the management for its decision to construct another 100,000 tonnes capacity warehouse and urged that the construction should be guided by the just constructed one in order to ensure a more cost effective and user-friendly manner.
"The need to allocate resources in such a manner that no pressure will be brought to bear on any of the three takeover centres namely Tema, Takoradi and Kumasi cannot be over emphasized," he said.
President Kufuor suggested that the inland port in Kumasi and other strategic hinterland locations should be equally supported in the near future with modern and efficient warehousing facilities to eliminate congestion at the terminal ports.
He announced that between 350 and 400 cocoa-growing communities, especially those in deprived areas, are to be provided with solar streetlights by November this year.
In addition to this, 100 selected cocoa and sheanut producing communities throughout the country have been earmarked for the supply of potable drinking water through the provision of solar-powered water pumps.
He indicated that the Western Region would benefit from 30 of the pumps, while Ashanti will have 15, with Brong-Ahafo, Eastern and Central regions having 10 each, the Volta, Upper East and Upper West regions will have five each, while the Northern Region will have 10.
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Mr. Isaac Osei said it was his expectation that malpractices at the ports will be minimized to the barest minimum with the completion of the warehouse.
"When operations improve and good financial results are obtained, the general welfare of all stakeholders in the industry will equally be enhanced," he added.
Mr. Osei indicated that the warehouses and offices are named after cocoa districts that have contributed to the growth of the industry.
He commended stakeholders in the industry, especially cocoa farmers, for their hard work and contribution to the continuous growth of the industry.
A Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Professor George Gyan-Bafour, said the performance of COCOBOD over the years has been most encouraging but stressed the need for the board to avoid complacency.
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