Cocoa farmer calls for election of new executives

Sunyani, Nov. 27, GNA- Mr Anthony Akore Korsah, a cocoa farmer at Yawhima, near Sunyani in Brong Ahafo, has called for the election of new executives of the Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers' Association at the district, regional and national levels to ensure effective and transparent administration of the body.

In a statement issued in Sunyani, Mr Korsah, who is the Sunyani District Chief Farmer, noted that the administration of the association was irregular "since the old executives have overstayed between five and 15 years.

He explained that with the introduction of private cocoa buying agencies to operate alongside the state-run Produce Buying Company (PBC), there is the need for new elections at the national, regional and district levels.

This will be in accordance with democratic principles that the country is pursuing to curb the monopolistic administration in the association, the farmer added.

Mr Korsah noted that the National Chief Farmer had been in office for not less than 15 years since his election at Tamale, while Nana Damoah, Brong Ahafo regional chief farmer and Nana Bankae, Sunyani district chief farmer, had been at post for five and 11 years, respectively.

He called for the re-introduction of the Extension Services Division (ESD) of the Cocoa Services Division (CSD) to enable farmers to fully enjoy the expertise and services of its officers.

The ESD under the CSD was assisting farmers a lot with technical advice including pest control and was also in charge of cocoa materials in cocoa growing areas, which made it easier for farmers to buy such materials for planting, he said.

The chief farmer noted that the current take over of this arrangement by the Ministry of Food and Administration, had proved "to be cumbersome and discouraging to farmers who now have to struggle before getting the same facilities".