With so much anticipation as to which schools to meet in the final round, that anticipation was satisfied as Knust beat GIMPA to qualify for the final rounds as well as UCC beat UEW-K to qualify to the final stage .

Th competition became tight as these two schools are rivalry and have the notion of being the best school in this country.

The debators took the podium to argue their points out to the topic “ successive governments have been discriminatory to cocoa farmers by not providing pension scheme for them “ . Knust argued that successive governments have indeed discriminated against cocoa farmers by not providing them with pension schemes although they contribute greatly to Ghana’s economy stating emphatically that other civilians have pension schemes except cocoa farmers BUT UCC were of the opinion that if successive governments have been discriminatory against cocoa farmers then they wouldn’t have the enabling environment to even operate and establish cooperative unions.

The panel of judges and all participants of the gracious event were mesmerized with the way and manner these students exhumed in depth knowledge and insight to the topic. Indeed Ghanaian students are endowed with wisdom and knowledge.

The much awaited moment finally came as Knust beat UCC to be crowned winner of Kuapa Kooko Inter-Tertiary Debate held at Kempinski hotel, 30th May 2018.

All schools who participated in this debate have made a great mark in the hearts and minds of al participants who came to witness the occasion .
TimewithPrissy
CampusToday Publications

In celebrating its 25th Anniversary, Kuapa Kooko in alliance with Millennium Promise took a great initiative to involve students from tertiary institutions in a debate forum on the necessary issues bothering the slow growth of cocoa production. Various topics were given to students to debate on.

This auspicious day has finally arrived as today marks the finals of the debate and the climax of Kuapa Kooko 25th Anniversary. The question is “which school takes the trophy ? The competition is very tough now as University of Education, Winneba and University of Cape Coast has taken the platform to debate on the topic “ The construction of cocoa roads over the years has not improved cocoa production in Ghana “

With University of Education against the motion that cocoa road construction has rather improved cocoa production in Ghana due to its accessibility which creates ready market for consumers both external and internal thereby increasing production and creating much revenue to invest more whereas University of Cape Coast are for the motion that cocoa construction has not improved cocoa production in Ghana due to wrong investment in roads when cocoa farmers need such funds to increase seed purchase and other equipments needed for production. Roads are secondary matter in their perspective.

Next on the platform are Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Education and GIMPA as they argue their points out on the essential topic “ Cocoa growing areas have not received their fair share of the national cake even though they have been the backbone of Ghana’s economy since the 20th century”

Interestingly , with KNUST for the motion, they insist cocoa growing areas haven’t received their fair share of the national cake as government is selfish and only focus on increase in production and without a heart, think about the welfare of the farmers. But GIMPA are of the opinion for government to bring policies and actions to increase production of cocoa means they are rather thinking of the farmers since if the cocoa production should fail , then these farmers would lose their end meet therefore to invest in production indirectly also put food on their tables as increase in production brings about increase in revenue,capital and expansion , increasing farmers profit and making life a walk in a park for them .

This great initiative is indeed very educative and interesting as wisdom is drawn from all the ideas presented by various students to help the cocoa industry.

Which school takes the trophy? More updates to come .
TimewithPrissy
CampusToday Publication

Experts from various sectors of the economy are billed to assemble in Accra at the Kempinski Hotel on May 30, 2018, to discuss Ghana’s cocoa sector.

The event dubbed: ‘The Green Ghana Lecture Series’, the first of its kind and put together by a cooperative of local cocoa farmers will also have in attendance the Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at the Colombia University, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, as well as former President of Ghana, His Excellency, John Agyekum Kufuor.

Also attending the event is the Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Hon. Frema Osei-Opare.

The discussion focuses on the Future of the Cocoa Industry in Ghana and the role of the youth in a Ghana Beyond Aid as well as the prospects of leveraging on ICT to attract and empower the youth in Agriculture for economic liberation.

The panel include Nana Adusei Atwenewa I, Tepamanhene, Mr. Gershon Sena Kpikpitse, a Cocoa Farmer, Madam Fatima Ali, President, KKFU, Flt. Lft. (Rtd) Joseph Bampo Atiemo, Dr. Kweku Ofosu-Asare, Lecturer/Researcher, GIMPA, Mr. Anthony Fofie, former CEO, COCOBOD, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement, Mr. Ameir Mbode, International Trade Consultant, and Mr. John Kumah, CEO, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP).

The event will also recognize and award outstanding personalities whose leadership and governance in the cocoa sector has ensured growth of the commodity. Among the personalities to be awarded are: H. E. Jerry John Rawlings, H. E. John Agyekum Kufuor, H. E. John Dramani Mahama, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Hon. Frema Osei-Opare, Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong, Pauline Tiffen, Flt. Lft. (Rtd) Joseph Bampo Atiemo and Nana Abebrese II.

Prior to the lecture, there was the final debate contest between four tertiary institutions – University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba (Kumasi Campus), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

The Country Director for Millennium Promise Alliance, Chief Nathaniel Ebo Nsarko, said “This is a very historic event and we are delighted to assemble some of the best brains in the cocoa sector to discuss how best the Ghana could derive maximum benefit from cocoa. This laudable initiative has come to stay”.

The President of Kuapa Kokoo, Madam Fatima Ali, also commenting on the event said “We are hopeful that this lecture series will be the stepping stone to revolutionizing Ghana’s cocoa sector. We believe that after this event, this will never be the same”.

Another day of exceptional display of educational excellence from our various tertiary institutions at the British Council auditorium on the 30th of April, 2018.

Being in the room of great youthful educators mesmerizes me as they exhibit strong sense of intelligence. Kuapa Kokoo Inter-Tertiary debate second phase has taken a new turn as rivalry schools University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology address the topic “Is ICT the answer to achieving maximum growth in the cocoa sector in the wake of Ghana Beyond Aid?

With KNUST gallantly for the motion that ICT is the answer to achieving maximum growth since it will create access to information, quick payment of farmers and also shifting from indigenous era to modernization, University of Ghana rather refute their points by clearly emphasizing what’s the use of ICT when there are limited lands for production, poor pricing cocoa produce and lack of technological equipments as well as high illiteracy in the country. These educative arguments created an atmosphere of praise on both teams by their supportive members.

Right after their session, University of Cape Coast and Ashesi University took the platform to argue their points on the same topic. UCC were of the view that ICT is the answer to maximizing growth in the cocoa sector by tackling all problems of corruption, bringing industrialization and creating easy access to information on pest and diseases. Whereas Ashesi University insisted that ICT can’t be the ultimate answer in maximizing growth of cocoa sector due to reasons of successful cocoa farmers who had not attended school or gotten access to ICT, excelled greatly in it, were able to identify when a cocoa seed had been infested or the pods had failed due to the harmattan.

Great debate organised by kuapa kokoo and Millennium Promise Alliance. It’s a great initiative since it seeks to educate the masses on cocoa farming and also raise an awareness of various detrimental issues affecting cocoa farmers, production and how government can help ease the burden of these farmers and mode of production.
Generating results for various schools
GIMPA: 65.11%
UPSA : 64.94%
CSUC: 59%
UEW_K : 64%
KNUST : 81%
UG: 72.8%
UCC: 81.6%
ASHESI– 72.37%

Drawing the curtains of this great, inspiring educative program, the winners to contest for the finals slated on 30th May 2018 are;
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
University of Cape Coast
GIMPA
University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi

Priscilla Asamoah Baffour
CampusToday Publications

Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Date: 30-04-2018 Time: 11:04:13:am

The British Council Auditorium would today, Monday, April 30, 2018, witness one of the keenly contested for competitions in the country as eight (8) top universities battle for honours in the Kuapa Kokoo/MPA ‘The Green Ghana Lecture Series inter-tertiary institutions debate’.

The event which would be the first round of elimination will see the University of Ghana, Legon, take on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology while the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) battles the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

The Accra Technical University will come face-to-face with Christian Service University while Ashesi University will clash with the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

The competing schools would debate on the topics:

I. The application of Cocoa Scholarships and Infrastructure has not helped enough to groom the next generation of cocoa farmers in Ghana. What are your recommendations going forward with the introduction of the Free Senior High School Policy?

II. Is ICT the answer to achieving maximum growth in the cocoa sector in the wake of Ghana Beyond Aid?
The winners would advance to the final stage of the competition which would be held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on May 30, 2018.

The competition has the following prizes at stake; Laptops, tablets, smartphones, Asankwa Wireless, Kuapa E-Library subscription, souvenirs from sponsors and internship opportunities.

The country Director of the Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA), Chief Nat Ebo Nsarko, commenting on the initiative said: “The Green Ghana Lecture Series which forms part of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of Kuapa Kokoo Co-operative Farmers Union will impact positively on policy formulation as to what the country intends to do with its Cocoa Scholarship, especially, with the introduction of the Free Senior High School Policy, which by the year 2020, will make the cocoa scholarship no more applicable at the Senior High School level”.

The Managing Director of Kuapa Kokoo Limited, Samuel Adimado, also commenting on the initiative said “I hope the debate will help us to know the way forward with our Cocoa Scholarship scheme.

“The cocoa farmers want to know what will happen to the cocoa scholarship scheme in the year 2020. Is it going to be continued and if yes, at which level of the educational ladder will it be applicable? They also want to know what technological tools will best work to their advantage in this era of ICT”.

Home → News → Agriculture & Environment → Kuapa Kokoo initiates huge debate competition
Kuapa Kokoo initiates huge debate competition

By Bernard Buachi/rawgist.com

April 30, 2018 at 7:23 am

Ghana News–Kuapa Kokoo; one of the biggest players in Ghana’s cocoa sector has initiated a huge debate competition among tertiary institutions in the country.

The Kuapa Kokoo Inter-Tertiary Institutions Debate which will be opened at the British Council in Accra on the 30th April, 2018 will be keenly contested by the University of Ghana, The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ashesi University, University of Cape Coast, Christian Service University College, Accra Technical University, GIMPA and UPSA.

Finals of the debate will be held on the 30th May, 2018 during the Green Ghana Lecture Series at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

Chief Nat Nsarko; Country Director for Millennium Promise Alliance tells rawgist.com’s Bernard Buachi the debate competition is “one of its kind and is being institutionalised to engender a broader discussion and forge a sustainable path in doing things in the era of Ghana Beyond Aid.”.

He adds that the competition seeks to create a platform for stakeholders from the Cocoa Fraternity, Government and Non-Government Players, Academia, Students, Media, etc to deliberate and build consensus on innovative ways that will empower the next generation cocoa farmers on sustainable farming mechanisms to enable them to contribute their quota to the President’s vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid.

Managing Director for Kuapa Kokoo; Mr. Samuel Adimado believes the time is due for us to open a national debate on how not to disrespect farmers and how not to denigrate farming, but rather how to motivate our farmers and how to improve agriculture in Ghana.

“We propose to empower and and attract the young ones as we create the Ghana beyond aid. That agenda can best be derived from engagements like these, where we debate openly on issues concerning the farmers and the youth- the second generation farmers.”

Mr. Adimado says the debates would help answer salient questions such as; “How can these disparities be addressed? How do we make agriculture attractive for the youth? How can ICTs be leveraged to boost farming activities, particularly cocoa industry? And how can we as cocoa farmers be involved in the cocoa scholarship deployments and awards to beneficiaries?”

“We at Kuapa Kokoo believe in grooming the next generation to apply modern technologies to agriculture as they gradually take over from us. It is for this reason among many others that we have partnered with Millennium Promise Alliance, to initiate and champion the move to bridging the information gap between agricultural research and farming practices in Ghana. This can indeed boost agricultural productivity”, he explained in an interview with rawgist.com.

Winners of the Debate will win laptop computers, Medals of participation, 1 year internship with MPA and KKFU, Asanka Connectivity, Hamper from sponsors, Trophy for their school plus three thousand Ghana Cedis. There are also exciting prizes for the first, second and third runners up.

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Several thousands of cocoa farmers in cocoa-growing regions in Ghana have commended the new management and Board of Directors of Kuapa Kooko Limited (KKL) and Kuapa Union for their efforts in protecting the farmers’ hard-earned income.

“We have never seen such seriousness in our leaders in the Kuapa fraternity, and such moves are reassuring and give us hope for a brighter future,” the farmers declared.

It would be recalled that the District Manager of KKL at Akontombra in the Western Region, Eric Fiifi Cudjoe, was arrested by the Ashanti Regional police for allegedly embezzling GH¢4,850,700 belonging to the company.

Cudjoe was remanded into police custody by the Ejisu-Juaben circuit court, presided over by Abdul Yusuf Assibey, on April 6, 2018.

The Akontombra District Manager was subsequently arraigned before court for fraudulent breach of trust following a complaint lodged by the new Managing Director of KKL, Samuel Adimado, for failing to purchase 10,212 bags of cocoa beans with the said amount of money.

The money, according to the Managing Director, was transferred through the ARB APEX Bank in Kumasi into the account of Cudjoe at the Amenfi Rural Bank Limited between September 2017 and February 2018.

Although the accused is a relative of the President of Kuapa Kooko Cooperative Farmers and Marketing Union Limited (KKFU) – the parent company of KKL – he was not spared at all.

According to reports, the president equally expressed shock at the action of his relative and called for thorough investigation and prosecution.

Cudjoe allegedly presented false reports to the company on numerous occasions in relation to the purchase of cocoa beans.

But the cocoa farmers, who are overwhelmed by the situation due to the relationship between Cudjoe and the President of KKFU, said that the bold action taken by their leaders had renewed their confidence in their leaders.

“We were overly excited at her insistence that the said amount be retrieved at all cost. We are so amazed and pleasantly surprised about the courageous manner in which our lady leader and the management have taken to deal with the issue in a dispassionate manner, devoid of fear and intimidation. This is worthy of commendation. Initially we had doubts because in Ghana when a relative of someone in high ranking position does something wrong, they treat that person with kid gloves but management has blazed a new trail to prove us wrong. Their action is so reassuring that in them we see a better future for Kuapa Kooko. We are now confident that our little contributions, accrued over the years, will not go waste,” Agya Kwasi, a cocoa farmer in the Sefwi Akontombra area, said.

“Now we, the farmers, are very confident and our trust has been boosted by the action of management. We want to thank them all for not allowing one person to embezzle that huge amount of money at our expense. This goes to prove that nobody can take us for a ride,” said Adwoa Adoma, another cocoa farmer at Ankaase in the Ashanti Region.

Source: http://dailyguideafrica.com/farmers-hail-kuapa-kooko-new-managers/

The Management and Board of Directors of Kuapa Kokoo Co-operative Cocoa Farmers & Marketing Union Limited (KKFU) and Kuapa Kokoo Limited (KKL), have declared zero tolerance for fraudulent activities in all the areas they operate.

They have, in effect, resolved to deploy technological tools as part of the programs and policies they intend rolling out to help weed out corrupt officers who have intentions of enriching themselves at the expense of the cocoa farmer.

The Managing Director of Kuapa Kokoo Limited (KKL), Mr. Samuel Adimado, addressing a gathering at the grand opening of the 25th Anniversary of Kuapa Kookoo Co-operative Cocoa Farmers & Marketing Union Limited at Tepa, Thursday, said the company will this year, network all its operation centers across the country electronically with state of the art equipment.

In addition to that, they will strengthen the purchasing powers of their recorders by providing them with funds required while also build on the capacity levels of their district managers on the usage of electronic purchasing equipment they are seeking to deploy.

The event was on the theme ‘Celebrating 25 years of pioneering sustainable cocoa production’.

“This will help management to closely monitor all activities and transactions at our various units across the country in real time,” he noted to the applause of the gathering.

Besides these technological tools, Mr. Adimado said, the company would also deploy a high-powered task force to support and sustain their anti-corruption efforts, stressing that management has the backing and or support from their “most gallant farmers”.

Mr. Adimado also reiterated the company’s resolve to eradicating child labour activities in their respective farms through ‘Back to School Project’ while investing heavily in health care delivery to farmers in the hard-to-reach areas of cocoa growing communities through their Mobile Clinic system.

The President of KKFU, Madam Fatima Ali, commenting on the event said the focus of the cocoa farmers’ co-operative organization is to leverage on ICT to promote Tele-Agric and Tele-Medicine to transform Agriculture and improve the health of farmers in Ghana.

To this end, she said KKFU and KKL together with their partners, Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA), are going to train the farmers and provide them with smart mobile phones each to enable them to access the maiden Tele-Agric center in Ghana.

The Country Director of MPA, Chief Nat Ebo Nsarko, on his part, said talks are currently underway to extend the Tele-Agric centre to cover the entire country.

The Tele-Agric center, according to Mr. Nsarko, was set up at an estimated cost of US$460,000 and will serve as an information path for timely and reliable information to farmers.

The facility, he added, has an electronic agric library attached to it and can serve over 900,000 farmers across Ghana.

Mr. Nsarko further told the gathering that the Tele-Agric center would be run in different local languages and will recruit, train and deploy experienced agric extension officers, agric researchers and professionals to provide information to bridge the disconnection between academia and farmers to enhance agric practice for improved production.

The Executive Director, Cocoa Health & Extension Division, COCOBOD, Mr. Emmanuel Opoku, in a solidarity message appealed to cocoa farmers to support the government in the cocoa tree replanting exercise it has introduced to boost future production.

Activities of the year-long Silver Jubilee celebrations of Kuapa Kooko include;

Official Launch  on Thursday 19th April, 2018 @ Tepa

Institutional Debate & Public Lecture at International Conference Center – Accra on 30th April, 2018 on the theme: Empowering and Attracting the 2nd Generation (Cocoa) Farmers in the Ghana Beyond Aid.

Launch of Young Women in Cocoa Production at Kokofu/Kumasi on Friday 11th May, 2018.

Source: https://www.myjoyonline.com/business/2018/april-19th/we-will-not-shield-wrongdoers-kuapa-kokoo-warns-cheats.php