Stay away from child labor – warn cocoa farmers

Cocoa farmers in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire have been asked to give up some unethical farming practices.

Among other things, farmers in both countries were urged to give up the use of children's services in agriculture and the use of certain chemicals.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Director General of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), addressed reporters on Monday, July 8, 2019 in Accra, stating that Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire had managed for the first time to fix the price of their cocoa beans in the terminal market, the two countries have launched appeals to ensure a sustainable cocoa crop.

According to him, child labor has been a major concern for the purchase of businesses and nations.

He said that consumers were increasingly concerned about the use of children in cocoa growing in both countries and were calling for an end to this practice.

Mr. Boahen Aidoo emphasized the need for farmers to engage in a sustainable farming method, devoid of harmful chemicals.

He explained that the well-being of farmers remains a top priority for both countries.

The head of the executive reiterated that after extensive deliberations in Abidjan on July 3, 2019, Ghana and Ivory Coast had decided to apply the floor price concept by agreeing to A fixed income differential of $ 400 per tonne for each cocoa sold by both countries. from the 2020/2021 season.

With this announcement, each cocoa sold from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire from the 2020/2021 season would attract a fixed income differential of $ 400.

An amount of FOB $ 2,600, equivalent to C $ 2,700 per tonne, has been agreed as the cocoa floor price for both countries, starting from the next cocoa season, the director reiterated.

"It is instructive to note that this new arrangement fixes a constant supplement of $ 400 per ton of cocoa from both countries. So, for example, with the 900,000 metric tons of cocoa produced last year, this would have brought us about $ 360 million from the top level of the supply chain up to us here in Ghana , at the bottom of the cocoa value chain, "he said. .

"We remain committed to the call by the President (Akufo-Addo) to improve the living conditions of our farmers. So we must not rest on our oars after this feat, but pursue other programs and initiatives for the well-being of farmers and sustainability. from the industry, "he said.

BY Melvin Tarlue