Cocoa farmers urged to put premium on education

Cocoa farmers have been urged to put premium on education by ensuring that all their children do not only enroll in school but were retained.

Ms Anita Adomako, Project Officer in-charge of Business Development, Cadbury Cocoa Partnership (CCP), described as worrying the situation where many children in cocoa growing communities are denied the right to education and engaged on farms.

She said that would have to change to assure the kids of a secured and better future and be provided the opportunity to pursue academic careers.

The CCP is an organization working towards improving the value chain supply in the cocoa industry.

Ms Adomako was opening the Second Edition of the National Quiz Competition organized by CCP for basic schools at the Anglican Senior High School (SHS) in Kumasi.

Seven schools from across the nation qualified for the grand finale of the competition.

A total of 56 schools, drawn from Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Western and the Eastern Regions had earlier taken part in the preliminary stage of the quiz.

Ms Adomako said they had already supported the formation of “Reading Clubs” in schools within their operational area to help inculcate in the students good reading habits.

They are also taught lessons on child labour and child rights to create the needed awareness.

She encouraged the youth to take responsibility for their education by taking their studies seriously.

She said this was the way to success and that cutting corners would simply not do.

Source: GNA