Chiefs and cocoa farmers from the Western North Region have lauded the Chief Executive Officer of the Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, for his leadership and dedication to revitalizing the region's cocoa industry.

Through the Cocoa Rehabilitation Initiative, farmers have seen a significant turnaround in their struggling farms, which were once plagued by diseases such as the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) and other crop challenges.

Speaking at a recent community engagement at Bibiani Anhweaso Bekwai, Wiawso, Juaboso, Bia West, and Akontombra in the region, several traditional leaders and local farmers expressed their deep appreciation for the proactive efforts of COCOBOD under Aidoo’s guidance. The initiative, which focuses on rehabilitating diseased cocoa farms, has been hailed as a lifeline for the local cocoa economy, providing farmers with new hope and sustainable livelihoods.

“This initiative has brought us back from the brink,” said Nana Kwabena Ebi II, the chief of Sehwi Akontombra. “Many of us thought we were losing our cocoa farms forever due to the diseases, but now we see a future where we can grow and harvest healthy cocoa again. We owe this progress to the efforts of COCOBOD and its CEO.”

The rehabilitation project includes the provision of free seedlings, fertilizers, and expert guidance to farmers on best agricultural practices, particularly in disease management and pest control. COCOBOD’s commitment to supporting farmers has been praised for its timely implementation, as it has allowed many farmers to restore their crops, increase yields, and improve the quality of their cocoa beans.

For years, the Western North Region, one of Ghana’s key cocoa-producing areas, struggled with the persistent impact of CSSVD, which devastated cocoa farms and led to a decline in the quality of cocoa beans. However, the ongoing rehabilitation has helped many farmers recover lost ground.

“We can now see our farms blooming again,” said Nana Yaw Berima, Kontihene of Sehwi Yawmatwa and a farmer from the region. “The assistance we’ve received has been invaluable. The technical support, coupled with the materials provided by COCOBOD, has revived our farms, and we are seeing the fruits of our labor. The future looks promising.”

The success of the rehabilitation initiative is also reflected in the growing confidence of local farmers in the sustainability of the cocoa industry in the region. Many have expressed their commitment to adopting modern farming techniques and continuing to support the government's efforts to revitalize cocoa production.

COCOBOD’s CEO, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, who was recently recognized for his contributions to the agricultural sector, expressed his joy at the positive outcomes of the rehabilitation program. In a statement, he reiterated COCOBOD’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s cocoa sector remains competitive and resilient in the face of climate change and pests.

“Our focus is on empowering farmers and ensuring that they have the resources, knowledge, and support needed to succeed. Revitalizing cocoa farms in this region is just the beginning of a broader national initiative to secure the future of cocoa farming in Ghana,” Aidoo remarked.

The continued success of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Initiative is expected to further bolster Ghana's position as one of the leading producers of high-quality cocoa globally. As the Western North Region thrives once again, both the farmers and chiefs continue to express their gratitude to COCOBOD and its leadership for a brighter and more sustainable future in cocoa farming