15 visually impaired cocoa farmers from three cocoa-producing districts have received awards from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for their significant contributions to the development of the cocoa sector in Ghana.
Seven of the farmers, who range in age from 50 to 78, are still actively farming after working for 15 to 60 years.
They came from the Central Region’s Asikuma, Assin Fosu, Twifo Praso, and Dunkwa; the Western Region’s Manso Amenfi, Elubo, and Daboase; and the Brong Ahafo Region’s Berekum.
Awarded recipient Kofi Esuon received a posthumous honor at the book awards ceremony on Friday in Cape Coast.
Each of the blind farmers received secret amounts of money, six bags of fertilizer, two pairs of Wellington boots, two cutlasses, chocolates, and other cocoa-related products from the Agricultural Manufacturing Group Limited (AMG Ghana) and Mondelez Cocoalife International.
The gesture, according to Rev Edwin Afari, Executive Director of Cocoa Health and Extension Division, COCOBOD, was a creative way to encourage and reward less fortunate cocoa growers, notably Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), who are crucial to Ghana’s cocoa value chain.
He praised the blind farmers for their commitment to cocoa cultivation, which supports many individual families and the nation’s economy as a whole.
“Disability is not inability and so you can do everything you put your mind to.
“Sight is not in eyes alone but also in the heart and mind; if you work diligently with your heart and mind, that is a special kind of sight,” he noted.
Rev. Afari voiced worry about the aging cocoa farmer population, emphasizing the catastrophic consequences this will have on the economy and overall development.
He voiced concern that despite the tremendous opportunities in the industry, many young people were not interested in agriculture.
The Central Regional Chief Farmer, Nana Kwesi Ofori, urged the populace to be motivated by the perseverance and success of the blind farmers.
Additionally, he made a plea to COCOBOD, the government, and civil society organizations to help PWDs succeed in the cocoa sector.
“Let this not be a nine-day wonder. It should continue to motivate everybody,” he said.
Following the ceremony, some of the honorees spoke with the Ghana News Agency to express their joy and thanks for the honor and recognition.
Kwesi Adu said “I was farming before I went blind, but I never gave up. I motivated myself even harder, and with the support of the people around me, I am doing better than others.
“I am grateful to COCOBOD for their support,” he added.
