The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has invested nearly GH¢943 million over the past year in a bid to revitalize old and diseased cocoa farms, aiming for a record cocoa harvest in the upcoming 2024/25 season.
The initiative is part of COCOBOD’s broader strategy to combat the swollen shoot disease, which has significantly impacted cocoa yields in recent years.
Given this, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has expressed optimism that these efforts will result in the production of over 800,000 metric tonnes of cocoa when the new season begins in September.
He also clarified that the increase in COCOBOD’s administrative costs to GH¢3.4 billion last year was largely driven by expenses related to these rehabilitation programmes, dispelling rumors that the funds were mainly spent on head office administrative activities.
COCOBOD’s Deputy CEO in charge of Finance and Administration, Ray Ankrah, also stressed that the GH¢943 million allocated to farm rehabilitation is a key component of a comprehensive strategy to sustain cocoa production and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
He added that without this critical investment, COCOBOD’s overall costs would have decreased. The rehabilitation programme is focused on addressing the effects of the swollen shoot virus, which devastates cocoa trees by reducing yields and causing plant death.
Mr. Aidoo emphasized the necessity of these efforts to preserve the nation’s cocoa production and safeguard the income of cocoa farmers.
Beyond farm rehabilitation, he added, COCOBOD is committed to ensuring that farmers receive timely inputs to boost production. The organization is promoting initiatives such as hand-pollination, pruning, and irrigation to enhance productivity and attract more young people to cocoa farming.
On his part, Mr. Ankrah further highlighted COCOBOD’s return to profitability following the financial strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The board reported a GH¢2.3 billion profit last year, a marked recovery from the GH¢4.2 billion loss recorded in 2022.
As COCOBOD looks to the future, its leadership has pledged continued support and improvements for farmers through enhanced policies and programmes in the next season.
