Cocoa Farmers Appeal to Gov’t for More Clinics

Cocoa farmers in the country have appealed to Government to make frantic efforts in constructing clinics around cocoa growing areas to help cater for the health needs of farmers.

Conveying this humble request on behalf of his colleagues to government, 2018’s Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, Paul Osei Tuffour said there are barely any hospitals in the area where his cocoa farm is located.

This appeal comes at a time where government has had several shortfalls in the health sector.

Mr. Tuffuor had yesterday, joined other award winning cocoa farmers on a courtesy call to the Chief Executive Officer of the COCOBOD, Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo.

Hailing for the Brong Ahafo Region, the young farmer told the COCOBOD CEO how his father—also a cocoa farmer had died by bizarre circumstances.

“If there had been a hospital in that area, maybe my father would not have died leaving me as breadwinner to take care of my younger ones,” he said.

He added that, cocoa farmers deserved more than is being offered looking at how instrumental they have been to Ghana’s economic growth.

Statistics have it that Agriculture accounts for 45% of the country’s GDP while cocoa alone takes about 26% of that.

Responding to this request, the COCOBOD boss said government had in the past made several of such commitments to cocoa farmers and is still considering building and renovating more of such clinics.

According to him, modernising the available clinics is high on the agenda of COCOBOD.

“Several award winners have come from the Brong Ahafo Region and I think they deserve these facilities.

“The fact is that cocoa farmers have sustained the cocoa industry and for that matter also supported the Ghanaian economy over the years. As a sector, we all have to cherish them and do everything to sustain their livelihoods,” Mr. Aidoo said.

Cocoa Clinics

There are several cocoa clinics dotted across the country with the Ghana Cocoa Clinic being the most popular.

The others are located in Kumasi, Debiso, Tema and Tafo, and one under construction at Takoradi, in the Western Region.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]