[ 2014-08-30 ]

Distribution of inputs not fair - Cocoa farmers
Juaso (Ash), Aug. 28, GNA – Cocoa farmers in the
Ashanti Akim-South District are crying foul over
the distribution of chemicals and other inputs
under the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme
(CODAPEC).
They claim there is lack of equity, openness and
transparency in the way things are being done.

They have therefore called for fairness in the
implementation of the programme which was an
intervention introduced by the COCOBOD to improve
crop yield, to facilitate maximum yield.

Mr Suleiman Seidu, one of the aggrieved farmers at
Juaso, told Ghana News Agency that he found it
disheartening that for more than two years “my
farm has not been sprayed”, while some of his
colleagues have no problems getting assistance
from CODAPEC.

“They are having their farms regularly sprayed.
Clearly, there cannot be any justification for
such plain act of discrimination,” he added.

His sentiments were shared by many at Yaw-Bronya,
Dankame, Yawkwei, Banso and Atwedie.

At Yawkwei, Mr Simon Naagmineboon, said the
farmers are only asking for fair treatment, to
raise output and returns.

Reporters of the nation’s wire service visited
the area under STAR-Ghana’s sponsored media
auditing and tracking of development projects
initiative launched to put the spotlight on how
government’s resources are helping to transform
the lives of the people, particularly the rural
communities

STAR- Ghana, a multi-donor pooled organisation
aims at promoting transparency, accountability and
good governance.

Mr Stephen Kwame Acheampong, District Manager of
Quality Control Division of COCOBOD, said his
outfit has taken steps to streamline the exercise
and asked the farmers to remain calm.

He said the district and community committees
overseeing the implementation of the programme
have been reconstituted to efficiently tackle the
challenges.

Source - GNA

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