News & Events
08 April 2010
REJOINDER: RE-‘COCOA FARMERS SLAM GOV’T’
We refer to an article published on page 16 of the DAILY GUIDE on 31st March 2010 with the title ‘COCOA FARMERS SLAM GOVERNMENT,’ where one Mr. Richard Baidoo, an Assemblyman alleged that, ‘The Atta Mills led administration has sacked all the spraying gangs who are supposedly NPP loyalists’.
Ghana Cocoa Board wishes to state that this issue has already been addressed on the floor of parliament by the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwabena Duffour on 16th July 2009. However, for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to reiterate the position of the Board as explained by the Hon Minister that at the start of every season, the District Task Force (DTFs) charged with oversight responsibility of the spraying programmes in each district, review the performances of each gang for the previous year.
Gangs who misconduct themselves through stealing of chemicals, misuse of spraying machines, collection of money from farmers for work done, absenteeism and vacation of post are disciplined. In some cases, the entire gang or some of its members against whom adverse reports are made are replaced.
These reviews and changes which were practised in the previous administration are regular exercises in all the 72 districts benefiting from the cocoa spraying programme.
Ghana Cocoa Board would continue to ensure that no cocoa farmer is discriminated against in its effort to attain the targeted one million tonnes by the year 2012/2013.
Kindly educate your numerous readers on the basis of the explanation already given by the Hon. Minister.
Thank You.
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, COCOBOD.