The Mankrong Cocoa Cooperative Farmers Association has appealed to the government for the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme to remain optional.
This scheme, designed to benefit around 70 cocoa districts nationwide, aims to improve the well-being of cocoa farmers and encourage young people to engage in cocoa farming.
However, Francis Teinor, President of the Mankrong Cocoa Cooperative Farmers Association, told Citi News the government must rather prioritise intensifying public education on the scheme to encourage farmers to voluntarily sign onto the scheme.
“If you want to do SSNIT for us, you should educate us so that we join it voluntarily but if you want to force all of us to be on that cocoa pension, assuming I have a farm today, tomorrow my farm has been converted to other crops and I am not producing cocoa, what would I use to continue the contribution so that by the end of some period, I am going to enjoy this thing?
“And recently, you know, galamsey too has been affecting us so maybe I have a farm today, I have been registered on the SSNIT, they have been deducting some kilos from my cocoa for every year, then for one or two reasons, my cocoa has been converted to this galamsey.”
The plea underscores the need for careful consideration and comprehensive understanding before enforcing policies that directly impact the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
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