COCOBOD expedites implementation of new system to prevent theft

Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has said it will expedite the implementation process of the Cocoa Management System to ensure focused service delivery in the cocoa sector.

According to reports, the Cocoa Management System which is being undertaken by COCOBOD has reached an advanced stage and will soon be completed.

Though it’s implementation is expected to begin in October this year, it has become increasingly necessary to expedite the process as series of theft cases of cocoa beans at the farms or homes of cocoa have been occurring.

Also, there have been reports recently on armed robbery cases where some Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) were attacked and the cocoa beans as well as their cash were taken from them. This has been a major reason for the implementation of the Cocoa Management System.

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According to COCOBOD, the System, when deployed, would improve the overall monitoring of the supply chain including purchasing, weighing and grading of cocoa. It is also expected to enhance records keeping, allow the early detection and flagging of inconsistencies and anomalies in records, and ease traceability.

However, before implementation begins, all cocoa farmers across the country are expected to be registered into a single database and issued with electronic accounts into which all sales proceeds of their cocoa beans will be recorded and deposited with payments made electronically.

In effect, this innovation will ensure that only registered and certified cocoa farmers can sell cocoa beans to LBCs. Since payment will be done electronically, LBCs will also no longer need to carry cash around for any transaction.

To make the lives of its members easier, COCOBOD has taken other initiatives already. Aiming to maintain a farmer-focused approach as well as regulate the country’s cocoa sector, COCOBOD has intensified Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEPs) which consists of subsidised fertilizer distribution to cocoa farmers, mass pruning of cocoa farms and hand pollination exercise.

Its objective is aimed at increasing production of cocoa which will also result in improvement on their earnings and in fact, safeguarding the welfare of cocoa farmers and enhance their living standards.