Researcher says Ghana can earn more from cocoa

Jasikan (V/R), Aug. 17, GNA - Ghana can earn more in foreign exchange from cocoa by exploring and developing its medicinal and other uses, Rev Dr. Elias Kwaku Asiamah of the Akrofu Environmental Resource Centre in Jasikan, has said.

He said this when he conducted the Chairman of the Forest Plantation Development Fund Board, Osagyefo Oseadeyo Agyeman Badu II, round his forest plantation.

Rev. Dr Asiamah, a lecturer at the University of Ghana Legon, said Ghana was yet to benefit fully from cocoa.

He said cocoa had 60 uses and that he and other researchers had done extensive work on the cash crop and this is available at the Cocoa Research Institute.

Speaking on the need to preserve forests, Rev Dr Asiamah described them as “super clinics” because of their eco-therapeutic value.

He said for instance by having some time in the forest a hypertensive person could experience drastic reduction in his or her blood pressure.

Rev Dr Asiamah said families and clans needed to be encouraged to engage in forest plantations as a co-operative venture because of difficulties in getting families to release large tracts of forest land to individuals to engage in forest plantations.

He said such a co-operative ventures have immense employment avenues for the youth, stem the rural urban drift and be a reliable source of high income for rural dwellers.