The relaunch of the government’s Free Fertilizer and Agro-Input Programme for cocoa farmers was nearly disrupted as some cocoa spraying personnel attempted to stage a protest at the event over their unpaid salaries.
The aggrieved sprayers, who form a critical part of the Ghana Cocoa Board field operations, are demanding immediate payment of their outstanding allowances, which they argue have accumulated for over five months now.
Clad in their working gear, the sprayers attempted to interrupt proceedings of the relaunch ceremony, insisting that they could no longer work under such poor working conditions.
“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 of the sprayers said.
Another worker added that: “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”.
Their action momentarily shifted attention from the official programme, but the organisers managed to calm the aggrieved personnel to proceed with the event.
At the event, the COCOBOD announced improved conditions of service for the field workers, ahead of the nationwide distribution of free fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides to cocoa farmers.
Responding to the concerns, the Board Chairman of COCOBOD, Dr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, assured the sprayers that their six months’ arrears have received financial clearance.
He assured the sprayers that they will soon receive notifications for their allowance payments, urging them to remain calm and continue to support the programme.
“I understand the grievances of the sprayers, but the CEO has informed me that your arrears have been paid and you will receive the alert soon,” he said.
Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo acknowledged the crucial role of sprayers in the cocoa value chain, reiterating COCOBOD’s commitment to improving the welfare of all field staff.
He announced that the monthly allowance of the sprayers has been increased to GH¢700. Similarly, allowances for mechanics and security personnel have been increased from GH¢500 to GH¢700.
Loading and offloading fees for chemicals have also seen a 100 percent increment, from 50 pesewas to GH¢1.
“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.
He added that while efforts are being intensified to protect cocoa farmers against fake fertilizers, equal attention must be paid to health, as the government has provided safety equipment for the farmers and field workers.