COCOBOD Responds To Radio 1FM’s Cocoa Story

The Deputy Manager of Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), a subsidiary of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in Eastern Region, Kwadwo Osei Danso has responded to Radio 1FM’s news story that captures the problems of cocoa farmers in Ankaase in the Atiwa East District in the Eastern Region.

According to Mr Osei, they were highly alarmed when the news went viral on social media and other media platforms that the cocoa farmers in Ankaase complained bitterly of farming challenges owing to inability to fight Stem borers, Capsid, Ephids, Swollen Shoot, Blackpod disease and of course complain of selective cocoa mass spraying.

In a studio interview on Monday, December 10, 2018, he told the host of Ghana Akuafo, Nana Kwabena Addo that the Radio Station might be misinformed or a deliberate attempt by Radio 1FM to twist the information the able and credible media establishment gathered from the grounds. He said Ankaase is a community that is in the heart of CHED and they do everything possible within their reach to provide them with all the arsenals needed to improve cocoa farming in the area.

Mr Osei explained further that upon their visit there after the news went viral, Ankaase town has in store adequate chemicals for spraying . They discovered they had left overs of chemicals that could spray about 700 hectares of farms. He added that they have not been selective in exercising their duties in that regard and urged the public to disregard the complains. He vehemently stated that the only problem they have with Mass spraying in Ankaase is logistics of which he was specific to say the motorist machines. Even that he claimed there are processes in the pipeline to provide them with additional 5 or 6 machines but refuted claims of being selective.

Speaking on the matter of pollination, Ankaase had problem this year with the pollination because of later flowering of the cocoa trees and denied ever neglecting them. He again said Ankaase has not been denied in the cutting of old trees which is a new program initiated by cocobod and implemented.

However, he promised Ankaase cocoa farmers and the surrounding communities that they have been captured in their schedules for next year to help them increase cocoa farm produce.

By: Radio1News|Ghana|Obido Nana Gyasi