COCOBOD Honors 2024 Best Cocoa Farmers with Prestigious Awards.

Accra: The Ghana Cocoa Board recently awarded prizes to the winners of the 2024 Best Cocoa Farmers at a ceremony held at its headquarters in Accra. Mr. Kwame Alex from Western North was recognized as the 2024 National Best Cocoa Farmer during the 40th National Farmers' Day Awards. With approximately 130 hectares of land, Mr. Alex produces over 3,000 bags of cocoa annually. He received a Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick-up, a standard pruner, cocoa products, a plaque, safety goggles, respirators, ear protectors, hand gloves, Wellington boots, and a motorized sprayer as part of his prize.According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Yaa Adjeley from Western South, who earned the 2024 National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer Award, was awarded a cheque for GHC 80,000 from the Cocoa World Foundation (CWF). Her rewards also included a single-cabin mini truck, a tricycle, a standard pruner, cocoa products, and a plaque. Additionally, all Regional Minister Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmers received a cheque of GHC 20, 000.00 from the CWF.Mr. Solomon Tohola from Assin Fosu in the Central Region was recognized as the 2024 National Most Promising Cocoa Farmer. His awards consisted of a single-cabin mini truck, a tricycle, a standard pruner, cocoa products, a plaque, along with overalls with hats, safety goggles, respirators, ear protectors, hand gloves, Wellington boots, and a motorized sprayer. Ms. Winifred Batabana from the Savana region, awarded as the National Sheanut Picker, was presented with a tricycle, pairs of hand gloves, pairs of Wellington boots, overalls with hats, a Polo T-shirt, solar torchlights, cocoa products, a plaque, and machetes.Mr. Victor Benefo, the Best Coffee Farmer awardee, received a tricycle, pairs of hand gloves, pairs of Wellington boots, overalls with hats, a Polo T-shirt, solar torchlights, cocoa products, a plaque, among other items. The Farmers' Day celebration, since its inception in 1985, has been a platform for COCOBOD to commend the efforts of cocoa and coffee farmers, and shea nut p ickers who have excelled at national, regional, and district levels.Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, expressed his satisfaction with the accomplishments of the award winners, hoping this recognition would further bolster the cocoa sector. He emphasized the importance of avoiding illicit trading of cocoa and urged farmers to report any such activities to the police.He underlined the cocoa sector's significance as a national strategic commodity that contributes foreign exchange to the country, stressing the need for its protection and optimal utilization. Mr. Aidoo also advised the media to be careful in their reporting on cocoa-related matters, highlighting that media coverage could significantly impact the sector's international reputation.Mr. Alex, speaking on behalf of the recipients, expressed gratitude to the government and stakeholders, stating that the awards would inspire them to contribute more to advancing the cocoa sector. He committed to using his vehicle to educate the youth in the district about the potential of the cocoa industry.This year's event, themed "Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security," highlighted the nation's dedication to adapting agricultural practices to meet climate change challenges.