Place cocoa mass spraying exercise programme under MMDCEs – DCE
Mr Dennis Armah-Frempong, Agona East District Chief Executive (DCE) has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture(MOFA) to place cocoa mass spraying exercise programme under Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief executives(MMDCEs)
This he said would ensure effective monitoring and supervision.
He said this move will assist government to achieve the target of one million tonnes cocoa production annually and other measures to add value to the cocoa industry.
The DCE said the situation where government allowed cocoa mass spraying fuel products, Chemicals and other related materials to be mishandled by some Agricultural officials and spraying gangs was unacceptable
Mr Armah-Frempong made the appeal when he addressed some cocoa farmers in the Agona East of the Central Region.
He said that under former President John Agyekum Kufuor the programme was strictly placed under the supervision and monitoring of the MMDCEs which allegedly halted diversion of chemicals, fuel products and other materials.
The DCE stated that government under President Nana Akufo-Addo was eager to hit one million tonnes of cocoa per annum with resuscitation of cocoa mass spraying exercise to hit the target.
He stated that some gangs and farmers allegedly colluded to divert most of the chemicals and fuel products supplied to some districts.
The DCE alleged that some farmers who do not have cocoa farms claimed they owned farms and received the chemicals and fuel products and materials.
Mr Armah-Frempong stressed that government is poised to ensure cocoa production was increased to attract more foreign support to boost the industry, adding that farmers’ motivation and other assistance are being pursued.
He stated that the President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government would give the needed support to the cocoa farmers hence the supply of fertilizers and other chemicals at the subsidised prices.
The DCE hinted that tasking MMDCEs would facilitate effective monitoring and supervision of the programme which was initiated by former President J.A. Kufuor administration aimed at increasing cocoa production.
He appealed to the Ministry ofFood and Agriculture to collaborate with Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to heed the call in order to boost the cocoa industry.
The farmers appealed to the government to remove bottle necks in the programme to ensure an increase in production.
Source: GNA