“Cocoa Clinic Is In Accra Where There Is No Cocoa Farm, So How Do Cocoa Farmers Benefit?” – Cocoa Farmer Asks

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The immediate past president of Fanteakwa South Cocoa Cooperative Union who doubles as the national chairman of the World Cocoa Farmers Organization, Mr Humphrey Ayisi has revealed that the establishment of Cocoa clinics does not benefit any cocoa farmer contrary to it’s perceived name.

According to him, the suggested name Cocoa Clinic has imprinted in the minds of Ghanaians that the beneficiaries are cocoa farmers but it is not and has never been so.

In a phone interview with Sompahemaa of Radio 1 100.7fm, the cocoa farmer revealed that these cocoa clinics are even situated in areas where cocoa farmers do not have access to.

“Cocoa farmers do not have any special treatment from cocoa clinics. It is even situated in Accra where there is no cocoa so how do cocoa farmers benefit? You are only taken care of when you have your health insurance like itvis done in all health care centers” – Mr Humphrey Ayisi said.

He therefore called on government to make room for special arrangements in policies to support the health care delivery of cocoa farmers.

Moreover, Mr Ayisi suggested that government and other policy makers institute cocoa housing schemes for cocoa farmers such that there could be some deductions in their sales to enable them afford their own houses after a period of time.

He again called on government to make special policies to implement pension schemes for the cocoa farmers.

However, he was quick to reveal that cocoa farmers are grateful for the government’s initiatives like cocoa mass spraying, and others.

Moreover, he called on massive involvement of the cocoa farmers in policy making.

Cocoa is a major produce of Ghana that has since contributed immensely to the economic growth and development of the nation.

By: Nana Gyasi | Radio 1 100.7fm | Ghana