‘Days of diverting cocoa inputs are over’ – Randy Abbey

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has warned that anyone caught diverting or smuggling free fertiliser and other farm inputs meant for cocoa farmers will face legal action.

The warning follows the relaunch of the Free Fertiliser Distribution Programme, under which COCOBOD has introduced a digital tracking system to monitor the distribution of fertiliser and other agro-inputs from warehouses to farmers.

Speaking at the relaunch in Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region, COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Dr Randy Abbey, said the system was designed to prevent favouritism and smuggling and ensure that inputs reach their intended beneficiaries.

“Let me send an unequivocal warning to smugglers and saboteurs. The days of diverting inputs meant for our farmers are over. Any officer, buyer, or individual found diverting, hoarding, reselling, or smuggling these inputs will be dealt with according to the law,” he said.

Dr Abbey explained that only registered farmers whose farms had been mapped and captured on COCOBOD’s digital Cocoa Management System (CMS) would qualify for the programme.

Farmers would be required to verify their identities at distribution points using their farmer identification cards, Ghana Cards or biometric information to prevent impersonation and the inclusion of fictitious beneficiaries.

He said the system would automatically determine each farmer’s entitlement based on the size and condition of their farms, leaving distribution officers with no discretion to alter the quantities allocated.

Every consignment would also be digitally recorded at each stage of the distribution process, from the warehouse to district and community distribution centres. Each bag issued would be linked to the identity of the farmer who received it.

Dr Abbey said this would allow COCOBOD officials at the district, regional and national levels to monitor distribution in real time and flag discrepancies for investigation.

According to him, the tracking system is intended to address longstanding concerns about inputs meant for cocoa farmers ending up on the open market, being smuggled across borders or going to well-connected individuals.

“Every bag issued is tagged against the name of the farmer who received it. At any moment, we can reconcile what was dispatched against what was received and what was issued. A bag that goes missing now leaves a trail,” he said.

Dr Abbey said the new arrangement would ensure that all eligible farmers, including smallholders, women, young and elderly farmers, received their entitlements without having to pay anyone or rely on personal connections.

He urged farmers whose farms had not yet been captured on the CMS to contact their extension officers for registration and mapping to enable them to benefit from the programme.

He also directed extension officers to ensure that all farmers and farms in their respective districts were registered and mapped.

Dr Abbey said the transition from a 50 per cent subsidy to free fertiliser marked a major policy shift aimed at removing financial barriers to farm inputs and improving productivity in the cocoa sector.

Meanwhile, COCOBOD Board Chairman, Dr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring cocoa farmers benefit from interventions aimed at improving productivity and their incomes.

The programme was relaunched under the theme, “Cocoa Sector Reset: Free Fertiliser for Increased Productivity and Improved Farmer Income.”

Source: Citi Business News