Cocoa farmers pension scheme will be rolled out this year - Bawumia

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced that the pension scheme for cocoa farmers will be rolled out this year.

Speaking in Kumasi as part of his three-day tour of the Ashanti region, Dr. Bawumia informed the farmers that the database of cocoa farmers has been compiled, and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCBOD) has confirmed the commencement of the scheme within the year.

The pension scheme aims to provide retirement benefits to cocoa farmers, ensuring financial security in their later years.

Dr. Bawumia also addressed the need for the government to re-evaluate the cocoa spraying program to better benefit the farmers and improve the distribution of farm inputs.

Additionally, he noted that the government has been ensuring that farmers receive 78 percent of the world cocoa price, emphasizing the administration's commitment to enabling farmers to profit from their hard work.

During the event, some cocoa farmers called for further increases in cocoa prices and urged the government to intensify efforts against illegal mining (galamsey) activities, which are damaging their farms.