We cannot work with COCOBOD anymore - GNACOFA

The National Association Of Cocoa Farmers has (GNACOFA) has bitterly expressed their displeasure in COCOBOD on their poor working conditions.

The GNACOFA on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, in a press briefing has expressed their dissatisfaction in COCOBOD as they raised a lot of concerns. 

Speaking with the National President of GNACOFA, Stephenson Anane Boateng, he disclosed that COCOBOD as a state entity for over 36 years has failed to render its responsibilities towards them hence their decision to quit working with them.

They have therefore given COCOBOD a month ultimatum to address their issues.

“COCOBOD as a state entity mandated by law to set up a mandatory pension scheme for us has failed to fulfil its legal mandate and in due of this, we (farmers) have no faith in them”.

“It took the intervention of the Association to bring the issue of establishing farmers pension scheme to the attention of COCOBOD, even so, what has been unveiled by the government is akin to a pension scheme under Section 106 of the National Pension Act (Act 766) and not as mandated by Law under PNDCL 81”, he said.

On issues with their health insurance, Mr Stephenson added that "GNACOFA proposed a Mutual Health Insurance Scheme as supplementary to NHIS for our health care to be supported by COCOBOD just like its staff enjoy free medical care from Cocoa Clinic on our hard work and sweat, yet we pay for our own medical care from the pennies we earn”.

They complained that policymakers never include farmers in decision making and does not address their challenges and concerns.

“Policymakers take decisions on Cocoa activities without involving us (farmers) which is inimical to the wellbeing of farmers and the decisions never addressed our challenges and concerns“, they added.

GNACOFA has given the government a month ultimatum for their challenges to be resolved else they won’t trade with COCOBOD anymore.