The government has procured over 3.5 million packs of granular fertilizer alongside millions of liters of agrochemicals for cocoa farmers nationwide under the relaunched Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Free Fertilizer Programme.

​Delivering a keynote address at the official relaunch in Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region, Board Chairman of COCOBOD, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo announced that direct distribution is already underway.

"Government has purchased over 3.5 million packs of granular fertiliser for distribution to cocoa farmers nationwide, out of which... approximately 1.2 million packs have already been delivered to farmers," Dr Ofosu Ampofo stated.

​He detailed that the full input package comprises 1.8 million litres of liquid fertilizers, 2.3 million litres of insecticides and 1.5 million kilogrammes of fungicides. 

To power field spraying operations, he stated that COCOBOD has also supplied 5.7 million litres of premix fuel to farmers across the cocoa belt.

​Highlighting measures to support operational staff, the Board Chairman announced upward revisions in field allowances and labour fees. 

He said the monthly allowances for sprayers, quarter-pack mechanics, and security personnel have been increased from GH¢500 to GH¢700 while loading and offloading fees for agrochemicals were raised by 100 percent, moving from 50 pesewas to GH¢1 per package.

​"This adjustment addresses long-standing concerns and demonstrates our recognition of the important contribution made by the men and women who work tirelessly to ensure the full implementation of our field operations," Dr Ofosu Ampofo said.

​On occupational safety, Dr. Ofosu Ampofo noted that while stepping up farm protection, COCOBOD must "equally pay attention to the health and safety needs of our critical operation".

​To that end, he stated that the board has procured 89,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including wellington boots, overalls, respirators, overcoats, hats and goggles, for sprayers, mechanics, task force members, and society chief farmers.

​"For the first time in the history of the country, all chief farmers nationwide have been provided with personal protective equipment to protect them against exposure to agrochemicals during pre-spraying operations," the Board Chairman emphasised.

​To fix logistical bottlenecks and fuel shortages, Dr. Ofosu Ampofo disclosed that the government has provided for 14 new 40,000-litre premix fuel storage tanks, creating an additional combined capacity of 560,000 liters "to help address persistent fuel shortage and challenges" alongside nine 14-foot containers for input storage.

For his part, the Acting President of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, Nana Ofori Ahenkan commended the free fertiliser policy, stating that the programme will not only secure the future of the cocoa sector but ultimately improve the livelihoods of cocoa farming households.