Cocoa Buying: Ghana Still Using Colonial Method, Let’s Adopt Electronic System- Nelson Kpodo-Tay Advises

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A renowned cocoa production, buying and processing consultant in Ghana, Mr Nelson Kpodo -Tay has suggested that it’s about time Ghana stopped the colonial modus operandi in cocoa buying in Ghana and be modernized.

According to the noble consultant, the outmoded method of purchasing cocoa in Ghana has contributed to cheating cocoa farmers and labourers and thereby denying them the fortunes they should have enjoyed in cocoa farming.

In a phone interview with Nana Kwabena Addo, co-host of Ghana Akuafuo, an Agric program on Radio 1, 100.7FM (a media establishment in the eastern region), Mr Kpodo-Tay who seemed more passionate about the welfare of Cocoa farmers revealed that these poor farmers are being cheated as the weighing machines are constantly tampered with by the cocoa buying companies.

He therefore suggested that the nation accepts the dynamics in the global systems of buying cocoa and follow suit by adopting the electronic system while he alleged that these buying companies adjust the scales to dupe cocoa farmers.

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“The dynamics is that cocoa buying methods is changed. The world is changing, technology is advancing but we are not imploring it in cocoa farming because the leaders are enriching themselves and they don’t want to change. We are still using the old method as if we are in villages. The time is passed. We need to change the methods and use the technology. Let’s use the Electronic payment platforms. Now cocoa farmers should be able to receiving their payments from banks.” – Nelson Kpodo-Tay said.

Moreover, he explained that if the Nation adopts the new technology and payment system, farmers would be able to work hard, employ labourers as professional farm managers, pay for fertilizers and improve their produce.

However, the experienced consultant added that most of the weighing scles are faulty while they can also be manipulated at any point in time and therefore called on the adoption of the electronic weighing and payment system.

“Farmers are suffering a lot. Reason is that you can adjust the scale now and bring it to normalcy. It doesn’t mean it is spoilt. Now some farmers are buyers in some communities and they also go there to cheat their colleagues” – he maintained.