By: Barbara Kumah
The Ghana Association of Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers ( COCOSHE) has expressed worry in the delay of supply of solar touch lights and mosquito nets to the farmers.
The Association has, therefore, appealed to the management of Ghana COCOBOD to expedite action in the supply of the product since the delay ” is having a heavy toll on the operations of the farmers”.
“Our people are in dire need of the solar touch lights and Mosquito Nets to make our operations thriving for us,” the President of the Association Alhaji Alhassan Bukari, said at a press conference in Accra, today November 29, 2023.
The president speech was read on his behalf by the spokesperson of COCOSHE, Imoro Issifu Alhassan.
The Association said they were extremely grateful that President Akufo-Addo for the assurance.
In May 10, 2019, COCOSHE paid a Courtesy call on the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House and made a plea through the President to COCOBOD for solar touch lights and Mosquito Nets.
After the engagement, the President instructed COCOBOD to meet the request as soon as possible.
“Since 2019, we have been patiently waiting for the supply of the product considering that the delay is beginning to affect our farmers who depend on these product, especially, in the night”.
In December 8, 2022, the Association said they made a request to the Chief Executive of COCOBOD about the delay and followed up with representatives on the Ghana COCOBOD Board at various Board meetings.
Although the Association may not be aware of the reason for the delay, “we appeal to the management of COCOBOD to do everything within its authority for the farmers to get the product”.
Benefits of solar touch light
According to the farmers, the Solar Touch Lights and Mosquito Nets “are of tremendous importance to us as it helps our farmers in remote Communities in the Cocoa areas.
They explained that “Sheanut pickers also use the Touch Lights to go into the bush at dawn to pick Sheanut with ease as it brightens under the Shea trees for Sheanut collection”.
COCOSHE said the supply of the items to farmers in the past had impacted positively on the health, welfare, and safety of our farmers.
“It has indeed served as an incentive for increased production,.It is therefore in the best interest of the Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Industries that the request of the farmers is met as it has been long overdue,” the Association said.