By Raymond Rex Awiagah
The Background
The Ghana Cocoa Board has presented prizes to the winners of the 2024 best cocoa farmers in Accra. The awards aim to recognize and reward the hard work and dedication of cocoa farmers in Ghana, highlighting their critical role in the country’s cocoa industry.
2024 National Best Cocoa Farmers Awards Categories
• 2024 Most Promising Female Cocoa Farmer
• 2024 Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer
• 2024 National Cocoa Farmer of the Year
• 2024 National Best Cocoa Farmer
• 2024 National Best Shea Nut Picker
• 2024 National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer
• 2024 National Best Cocoa Farmer
2024 National Best Cocoa Farmer
Mr Kwame Alex from the Western North won the 2024 National Best Cocoa Farmer. He took home a Toyota Hilux Double Cabin Pick-up, a standard pruner, cocoa products, a plaque, safety goggles, two respirators, ear protectors, hand gloves, Wellington boots, and a motorised sprayer as well as 11 boxes of chocolate.
2024 National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer
Madam Yaa Adjeley from the Western South won the 2024 National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer Award and was presented with a cheque for GHC 80,000 from World Cocoa Foundation (WCF). Cocoa also presented to her a single-cabin mini truck, a tricycle, a standard pruner, cocoa products, and a plaque.
According to Cocoa Board, all Regional Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmers are receiving a cheque of GHc 20,000.00.
2024 National Most Promising Cocoa Farmer Award
Mr Solomon Tohola from Assin Fosu in the Central Region won the 2024 National Most Promising Cocoa Farmer Award.He took home a single-cabin mini truck, a tricycle, a standard pruner, cocoa products, and a plaque safety goggles, respirators, ear protectors, hand gloves, Wellington boots, a motorised spraver and 11 boxes of chocolate.
2024 National Sheanut Picker
Ms Winifred Batabana from the Savana region won the National Sheanut Picker and was presented with a tricycle, pairs of hand gloves, pairs of Wellington boots, overalls with hats, a Polo T-shirt, solar torchlights, cocoa products, a plaque, and machetes.
2024 Best Coffee Farmer
Mr Victor Benefo won the Best Coffee Farmer with a tricycle, pairs of hand gloves, pairs of Wellington boots, overalls with hats, a Polo T-shirt, solar torchlights, cocoa products, a plaque, and others.
Point of view of CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board
The Chief Executive Officer of Cocobod, Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, praised the awardees for their excellence in farming and dedication to the growth of the cocoa sector. He also emphasized the importance of supporting the next generation of farmers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry.
“the awards recognition is to encourage the youth to venture in cocoa farming. With the recent increment in the cocoa farmgate price, cocoa farming is now lucrative and hence the youth must capitalized on that”
The Appreciation from the winners
The 2024 National Best Cocoa Farmer, Kwame Alex from Bompieso in the Prestea Hunni Valley, Kwame Alex thanked the government and and the management of the Ghana Cocoa Board for the recognition.
He said Cocobods interventions such as pruning, pollination, poultry manure and protection has helped cocoa farmers.
Kwame Alex pledged to use the vehicle to visit districts and educate the youth about the importance of venturing into the cocoa industry.
Conclusion
The awards ceremony also served as a reminder of the vital role women and youth play in the cocoa industry. The recognition of the Most Promising Female Cocoa Farmer and the Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer categories highlights the growing participation of women and young people in cocoa farming, helping to shape the future of the sector.