Kumasi, Jan. 2, GNA- Nana Kwame Amankwatia, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (GCCSFA), has warned Licensed Cocoa Buying Companies (LBCs) to desist from using cash for cocoa purchases.
He described as "very worrying" reports about widespread abuse of the Akuafo Cheque System by unscrupulous Purchasing Clerks (PCs) who pay farmers in cash instead of cheques.
Nana Amankwatia reminded the companies that it was in their own interest to stop their Clerks from the practice, pointing out that, when caught they would be made to face severe sanctions. He was addressing a meeting with District Chief and Queen farmers in the region to discuss ways of improving efficiency and sustain the growth of the cocoa sector.
The GCCSFA Regional Chairman advised his colleagues to be on the alert and help to expose those PCs who are bent on sabotaging the cheque system.
Nana Amankwatia asked them to maintain and expand their farms so as to reap maximum benefits from the producer price of cocoa. They should also take warnings of the Meteorological Service Department (MSD) seriously to avert bushfires during the harmattan, he said.
He told them to avoid reckless handling of naked fires and to co-operate and support the anti-bushfire volunteer squads in their communities.
Nana Amankwatia also touched on the HIV/AIDS and cautioned farmers to be more responsible in their sexual lifestyles in order to get protected from the disease.
