By Erica Apeatua Addo
Abekoase (W/R), July 8, GNA – The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has expanded its Cocoa Farmers Support Programme to benefit 105 additional cocoa farmers in communities within the operational area of the Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine.
The beneficiary farmers were selected from Awudua, Huniso, Pepesa, Tebe and Samahu communities.
The expansion follows the enrolment of 100 farmers under the programme in 2025, during which beneficiaries received approved cocoa production inputs over three production cycles.
Under the 2026 programme, each beneficiary will receive support for a four-acre cocoa farm, comprising five units of insecticides, 12 bags of fertiliser and 24 units of fungicides.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Robert Siaw, Sustainability Manager of Gold Fields Ghana, said the initiative formed part of the Foundation’s broader agricultural development strategy aimed at increasing productivity and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers in host communities.
He said agriculture remained a key pillar of the Foundation’s development agenda, adding that it had invested more than US$7.30 million in enterprise development initiatives.
These initiatives include the Community Oil Palm Project (COPP), the Youth in Organic Horticulture Production (YouHoP) programme and livestock development projects.
Mr Siaw said beneficiaries would also receive practical training and extension support through a partnership with the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to ensure the effective application of the inputs.
“We believe that when farmers have access to quality inputs, technical knowledge and extension services, they are better positioned to improve upon productivity and enhance their livelihoods,” he indicated.
Mr Abdul-Majid Mumuni, Deputy Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division of COCOBOD, commended the Foundation for its continued support to cocoa farmers.
He said the programme complemented ongoing efforts to revive and strengthen Ghana’s cocoa sector and would help increase productivity among beneficiary farmers.
“The inputs are meant to support cocoa farmers to increase their production. If farmers are harvesting two to three bags per acre before receiving these inputs, we expect to see significant improvements after their application, potentially increasing yields to about 10 bags per acre,” Mr Mumuni said.
Mr Samuel Essuman, Western South Regional Manager of COCOBOD, expressed appreciation to the Foundation and encouraged other mining companies to align their corporate social responsibility initiatives with the needs of cocoa farmers in their operational areas.
“Such support will improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to the sustainability of the cocoa sector,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Erica Apeatua Addo
[email protected]