SOCIAL: Cocoa farmers yet to benefit from Social Security Scheme

Cocoa

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has said cocoa farmers are yet to benefit from the Social Security Scheme as it is yet to be implemented.

COCOBOD set aside an amount of 15 million as seed money for the establishement of the cocoa farmers pension scheme. 

COCOBOD in collaborationg with the National Pension Authority awarded a contract to Stallion Consultant Limited to design the scheme. 

The consultants submitted an interim report, which is being studied for further consideration and action by the board of directors of COCOBOD.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Kwabena Duffour was answering a question asked by MP for Agona East John Agjyabeng on what the modalities area for the selection of farmers to benefit from the 15 million Social Security Fund established in the 2009 fiscal year.

The Minister said COCOBOD is building a data base by registering all farmers to provide the relevant information with the implementation of recemendations in the consultants report.

To him the farmers data base will help in making several economic and social dicisoin regarding the cocoa sector.

He added that the data base will capture both personal information and farmer activities such as age of farmer, location and size of farm, seal of cocoa beans and agro chemical usage.

Kwadwo Anim/Ghanamps.gov.gh