AVOID CHILD LABOUR ON COCOA FARMS ...(Page 20)

Story: Nana Konadu Agyeman, Koforidua

THE Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, has advised cocoa farmers against the use of child labour on their farms.
Mr Asamoah said since cocoa farming was labour-intensive, the farmers should rely on adults for such services, instead of children.
He said that would not only enhance the country’s image on the international scene, but also boost the sale of its cocoa on the international market to improve the country's economy.
Mr Asamoah made the call at this year’s Eastern Regional Best Cocoa and Workers' Day celebration at Suhum.
He said “we are not against your children helping you on your farms occasionally, but child labour on cocoa farms, at the expense of their education and other rights, are unacceptable and frowned upon at the international level”.
The event, which was organised by the Produce Buying Company (PBC) on the theme: “The PBC and the Farmer—A Better Future,” was used to honour 94 cocoa farmers and staff of the PBC.
Mr Abraham Adusei was adjudged the overall best cocoa farmer in the region.
The award winners were given items such as Wellington boots, cooking utensils, cutlasses and Ghana@50 cloths.
Mr Asamoah stated that since cocoa played an important role in the country’s economy, especially in foreign exchange earning, employment generation and infrastructural development, the government, through the PBC, decided to set aside a special day to reward cocoa farmers in the country.
He said the government would continue to support cocoa farmers through the payment of better prices and bonuses, free spraying of cocoa farms and other initiatives to boost production.
“I wish to advise that while you continue to take good care of your farms, you should also take good care of your children’s education to enable them to become responsible adults and assume high positions in the future,” Mr Asamoah stressed.
He urged cocoa farmers to take full advantage of the various interventions by the government in the education sector such as the Cocoa Board Scholarship Scheme, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme to educate their children.
In an address read on his behalf, the Managing Director of the PBC, Mr Anthony Osei Boakye, said the award scheme, which was set up seven years ago, was to reward hardworking cocoa farmers who were contributing tremendously to the growth of the country’s economy.