Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, widely known as Napo and serving as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has praised the Nana Addo-led administration for revitalizing the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers through the extensive Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme.
Addressing a gathering of Chiefs at Debiso in the Western North Region, Dr. Prempeh highlighted that the rehabilitation programme was specifically developed to combat CSSVD and restore affected cocoa farms effectively.
Through this initiative, we have taken steps to restore the lost livelihood of cocoa farmers by not only addressing the disease but also boosting farm productivity and resilience
He recalled that, under the John Mahama administration, the approach to tackling CSSVD was ineffective, as it placed the responsibility on farmers to cut down diseased trees, replant, and manage the process, often with minimal supervision.
Instead of intervening to secure our cocoa sector, the previous government left farmers to handle CSSVD alone. Not surprisingly, this approach was not effective and led to the spread of the disease. Many farms became infected, and Ghana’s cocoa output suffered immensely, with Western North losing close to two-thirds of its production capacity
Dr. Prempeh emphasized the transformative approach introduced by the Nana Addo-led government, which took full responsibility for addressing CSSVD while providing strong support to farmers.
He explained that, under this administration, the government covered the entire cost of removing diseased trees, treating farms, replanting with disease-resistant, high-yield seedlings, and managing the land for at least two years until new crops could flourish.
Furthermore, labor is offered free of charge to farmers, and they receive GH₵1,000.00 per hectare of infected land to help offset the financial impact of the rehabilitation on their livelihood. The program also compensates both tenant farmers and landowners affected by tenancy agreements, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from the rehabilitation efforts.
We took action where the previous government failed
This government didn’t just abandon farmers to their fate; we stood by them, rehabilitated their farms and supported them every step of the way
He noted that since its launch, this program has delivered impressive outcomes. By August 2024, more than 44,000 farms, covering over 40,000 hectares, were already yielding results.
Napo expressed optimism that the rehabilitation initiative would continue to bring stability and prosperity to cocoa farmers. He highlighted that this success reflects the government’s steadfast commitment to securing the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry and supporting the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
