Asunafo Farmers Storm COCOBOD Over Bad Roads

Cocoa farmers in the Asunafo District of the Brong Ahafo Region, yesterday stormed Cocoa Board Head office in Accra, to express their displeasure on the bad condition of roads in the district.

The farmers, led by the District Chief Executive, Yaw Osei stated that the bad condition of roads in the district is affecting productivity of cocoa.

Asunafo District is known for producing some of the best cocoa farmers in the country.

The district alone has produced nine (9) national best farmers and six (6) regional best farmers in the country.

According to the DCE, the district does not benefit from governments road projects in the country.

“When you drive from Noberkaw to Sankore, all the roads are in a bad condition. And also from Sankore Abuom to Naketey. People in those areas have never see tarred roads before”, he complained.

He also stated that the district cannot boast of a government hospital and stressed that farmers have to travel far to seek medication.

“Aside hospitals we also lack schools in the district. Cocoa Board during the previous government started a school building project in Nnanyinaanse, till date the project has been abandoned”, he said.

Revelation

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cocoa Board, Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, on his part welcomed the farmers, and revealed that the previous government left no money meant for road construction projects in the company’s coffers when he assumed office.

“The previous government borrowed 1.8 billion dollars to construct roads for farmers, as at October 15 the money wasleft with 400 million dollars. When they realized Akuffo Addo had won the election, by December 16 to 20 they had lavished all the money”, he disclosed.

He further stated that the company now owes about 3 million dollars and are finding ways to clear those debts.

The CEO assured the farmers that their problems would be attended to after those debts have been cleared.

He also assured each farmer present of an irrigation in their farms to help them increase cocoa production.

Source: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum/ thePublisher