At the ceremony marking the relaunch of COCOBOD’s Free Fertilizer and Agro‑Input Programme, cocoa spraying personnel interrupted proceedings to protest unpaid salaries that have accumulated for over five months.
Clad in their work gear, the sprayers argued that they could no longer continue under such conditions, stating, “The leadership of the cocoa farmers does not think about us, the field workers. We have worked for about five to six months without receiving pay. How do you want us to survive?” One worker added, “We are the ones who go into the farms to spray the cocoa trees, yet we are being treated as if we do not matter. If we are to support this new programme, we must also be taken care of.”
The protest momentarily diverted attention from the official event, but organisers calmed the aggrieved personnel and allowed the ceremony to resume. COCOBOD announced improved service conditions for field workers ahead of the nationwide distribution of free fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides.
Board Chairman Dr. Samuel Ofosu‑Ampofo assured the sprayers that their six‑month arrears had received financial clearance and that notifications for allowance payments would follow shortly. He reiterated the Board’s commitment to the welfare of all field staff, announcing a raise in the sprayers’ monthly allowance to GH¢700, with similar increases for mechanics and security personnel from GH¢500 to GH¢700. Loading and offloading fees for chemicals were also doubled from 50 pesewas to GH¢1.
Dr. Ofosu‑Ampofo said the adjustments address long‑standing concerns and recognize the contribution of those who work tirelessly to implement field operations. He added that while efforts intensify to protect farmers from fake fertilizers, equal attention must be paid to health, noting that the government has supplied safety equipment for farmers and field workers.
With the issue resolved, the relaunch proceeded, and COCOBOD reaffirmed its pledge to support cocoa farmers and field staff alike.
