Ghana Introduces Tertiary Scholarships for Cocoa Farmers' Children
The Ghanaian government, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), has announced an expansion of its Cocoa Scholarship Scheme to cover tertiary education, a significant upgrade from the previous focus on senior high school support. This decision follows the successful implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, which has already been providing free tuition, feeding, and educational materials to Ghanaian students.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 election, shared the news during the Farmers Day celebrations in Jacobu, located in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region. He emphasized that children of cocoa farmers who previously benefited from the scholarship program would now have access to further educational opportunities at the tertiary level, aiming to support the nation's rural communities and enhance educational access.
Government’s Agricultural Initiatives
In his address, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the government's significant investments in Ghana’s agricultural sector over the past eight years. Through initiatives like the Planting for Food and Jobs program, the government has worked to enhance food security, making Ghana one of Africa’s most food-secure nations. He noted that this program has boosted local food production and strengthened the agricultural economy through job creation.
Among other projects, he mentioned the construction of 80 warehouses under the One District One Warehouse initiative and 400 dams through the One Village One Dam project, aimed at providing sustainable water resources for agriculture. Additionally, 70% of the factories established under the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative are dedicated to agro-processing, directly supporting Ghana’s farming and food production industries.
Rising Cocoa Prices and Support for Farmers
Dr. Bawumia commended the government’s commitment to supporting cocoa farmers, evidenced by the increase in the price of a bag of cocoa from GHS 475 in 2016 to GHS 3,000, a historic increase aimed at ensuring fair returns for farmers’ efforts. He also highlighted the success of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Program, which involved the removal of diseased trees and replanting with improved varieties. Additionally, plantain suckers were distributed for free to provide farmers with an interim income as they waited for the newly planted cocoa to mature.
Commitment to Empowering Farmers
Expressing his gratitude for Ghanaian farmers’ contributions, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged their vital role in feeding the nation and generating employment. He pledged to establish District Agricultural Mechanization Centers, which would equip farmers with both the tools and expertise needed to enhance their productivity.
These centers aim to foster knowledge-sharing and mechanization access, allowing farmers to increase their efficiency and contribute further to Ghana’s agricultural success.
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