As part of its efforts to help address challenges hampering the production of cocoa in our communities; SEND Ghana a non-governmental organization in Ghana that focuses on policy research and poverty reduction and some Licensed Cocoa Buying Companies’ (LBCs) are intensifying calls for the payment of bonuses and related cash allowances for cocoa farmers in our country, noting that it is a catalyst for ensuring improved welfare of our farmers as well as increase responsiveness for a sustained cocoa sector. At a Round Table Discussion with OMNI Cocoa, Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying Ltd, Federated Commodities Ltd, Cocoa Abrabopa Association and Ghana Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Association on Licensed Cocoa Buying Companies’ (LBCs) performance on Human Rights, Living Income, Environmental Due Diligence and Gender (HLEG) held in Kumasi, Project Officer at SEND Ghana, Joseph Otchere Osei walked participants through the findings and recommendations from a case study by Asene Manso-Akroso and Agona East Districts in Ghana.“Let me mention that findings from the case study by Asene Manso-Akroso and Agona East Districts indicated that the prompt payment of bonuses and related cash allowances to cocoa farmers needs to be pushed by purchasing companies.“There should be more investment into Cooperate Social Responsibility activities by purchasing and licensed buying companies to foster community resilience” he said.In their contributions, licensed buying companies suggested that there should be an appropriate way of communicating with cocoa farmers on policies and new initiatives to bridge the gap in implementation and push backs in communities.“We believe that this would strengthen cooperatives and help reduce smuggling of cocoa beans in Ghana and in the long run strengthen the cocoa sector.“There is the need for greater collaboration and interactions between companies and District Assemblies to incorporate community project’s organised by licensed buying companies into their yearly plans and medium-term plans” he said.“The LBCs indicated that well-structured farmer cooperative system will aid in tackling some of these issues or community problems.“The LBCs recommended a scale up of the research to cover areas like the Western South and investigate works of LBCs in communities” he added.LBCs and cocoa companies expressed commitment to implementing the recommendations from the policy brief which was presented to them and urged the Ghana Cocoa Board to consider the review of cocoa production prices this year. Story by:Voice of African Farmers Give me two headlines not more than eight words



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