PBC pays full bonuses to cocoa farmers

The Produce Buying Company (PBC) says it has fully paid the second tranche bonus for the 2010/2011 crop season to all of its cocoa farmers in the Ashanti Region.

Mr. K. A. Y. Oppong, the Regional Accountant, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that it was incorrect that the bonus had not been settled.

He said the Company had received “returns” from its purchasing clerks in the cocoa districts, showing evidence of the payments done.

This comes on the heels of an appeal in the media by the Offinso Chief Farmer, Nana Kwaku Duah, to the government to pay them their outstanding bonuses to enable them pay their children’s school fees and attend to other responsibilities.

Mr Oppong said the PBC, as the largest licensed buying company (LBC), places premium on the welfare of the hardworking and loyal farmers.

They would therefore not do anything to bring discomfort to them, he added.

Meanwhile, the COCOBOD in a press statement on the farmers’ bonuses said an amount of GH¢29,484,605.10, was released by the government on the third day of October, to the 28 LBCs towards the bonus payment.

Source: GNA