Best farmer calls on COCOBOD, traditional authorities to save Cocoa industry 

A prominent cocoa farmer has called on the Board and management of COCOBOD and traditional authorities to work towards protecting the cocoa industry.

According to him, destruction of cocoa farms threatens Ghana’s cocoa production besides jeopardizing rural economies and national revenue.

The 2011 Overall Best Farmer of the Atwima Kwanwoma District, Mr. Alex Marfo, aka Boboo, suggested that major stakeholders, including the government and parliament must stand steadfastly with Ghana’s cocoa farmers, upholding the nation’s agricultural pride and securing the future of cocoa cultivation across Ghana.

He said as part of its mandate, COCOBOD must ensure effective and rigorous implementation of the Economic Plants Protection Act, 1979 (AFRCD 47) that prohibits the destruction of specific economic plants (like cocoa trees).

He noted the step would ensure that cocoa farms are adequately protected from destruction from illegal mining and other human activities.

The award winning cocoa farmer (Best District Cocoa farmer in 2013 and 2015 at the 29th and 31st National Farmers Day) also said cocoa farmers face ruinous loss of their primary income when their farms are sold to developers to construct houses.

He called for protective measures reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to preserving its cocoa industry and supporting its dedicated farmers by evolving sanctions against those who engage in destruction of cocoa farms for illegal mining activities.

Boboo also noted that traditional authorities have a critical role to play in protecting the cocoa industry by enforcing traditional practices such as Abunu and Abusa share cropping system.

The concerned cocoa farmer said chiefs must be signatories to such agreements empowering them to monitor and supervise parties involved.

This, he according to him, would ensure that customary practices and norms work in spirit and letter.

Boboo, who lost 8 acres of cocoa farm through arson and nearly forfeited his 12 acre cocoa farm as his share of the Abunu system, but for intervention of local authorities and one Ohenaba Akwasi Gyambibi of Kumasi, said the involvement of chiefs would help avert exploitation of farmers by land owners.

?In the circumstance, Boboo has called on COCOBOD and National House of Chiefs to bring this critical matter to the highest levels of government, catalysing swift executive action to preserve Ghana’s cocoa heritage and cultural practices and norms.

He also urged COCOBOD to exercise its mandate vigorously to protect Ghana’s cocoa resources and intervene to halt activities of any form that threaten sustenance of cocoa farms.

?The chief farmer also wants the Parliament of Ghana to provide legislative oversight and ensure accountability, imploring requisite measures to safeguard these irreplaceable agricultural assets.

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