Accra: The Parliamentary Select Committee on Agric and Cocoa Affairs recently conducted a working visit to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to address significant issues impacting the cocoa sector. The visit was led by the Committee's Chairman, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, who engaged in comprehensive discussions with COCOBOD's management, headed by Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Randy Abbey.
According to Ghana News Agency, the meeting focused on key challenges such as the cocoa sector debt, which is a major impediment to the industry's growth. Discussions also covered the declining production levels and strategies to reverse this trend, as well as the poor management culture within the sector. The need to address these issues was emphasized as crucial for the sector's success. Additionally, a new legal framework aimed at resetting the cocoa subsector for accelerated economic transformation was explored.
The familiarisation visit, which was part of the Committee's oversight responsibilities, resulted in pragmatic policy outputs and improved management practice propositions. These initiatives aim to increase cocoa production, boost yields, and enhance income for farmers. Furthermore, the discussion included the creation of job opportunities to make the sector more appealing to Ghana's young population.
Dr. Jasaw, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa East, reiterated the Committee's commitment to making agriculture more attractive to the youth. He acknowledged COCOBOD's efforts to enhance productivity and sustainability, highlighting initiatives like the Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program, which seeks to curb deforestation and promote reforestation.
Dr. Randy Abbey, Acting CEO of COCOBOD, emphasized the importance of centering farmers in policy creation and application. He committed to bringing hard work and strong leadership to fulfill the President's vision for the cocoa industry. Dr. Abbey also expressed his dedication to collaborating with the Committee and engaging directly with cocoa growers to understand their challenges and build robust alliances with stakeholders.
