COCOBOD

THE Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) has presented a $29,000 Toyota Hilux pick-up to the 2007 Best Cocoa Farmer, Mr Nicholas Kwabeng, as his award.
As part of his award, Cocobod sponsored Mr Kwabeng to the Royal Agricultural Show in the United Kingdom (UK) in July, last year, to learn more agricultural practices.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Cocobod, Mr Tony Fofie, who presented the vehicle to Mr Kwabeng at a ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, said the company was proud of Mr Kwabeng for producing 2,600 bags of cocoa last year.
He said the award was to encourage other farmers to emulate his attitude.
“Because the government recognises the role of farmers in the economy as indispensable, it is our duty as a company to collaborate with the government by giving out this award,” he said.
For his part, Mr Kwabeng, 58, a native of Sunyani Tanoso in the Brong Ahafo Region, said besides his cocoa farm, he was engaged in other farming activities, including cattle rearing, poultry and fish farming.
He expressed his appreciation to the government and the management of Cocobod for the award.
Mr Kwabeng advised parents, particularly the farmers among them, on the importance of education and urged them to educate their children and not force them to take up farming at the expense of their education.
He said a well educated person could perform better in farming than the uneducated.