The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is set to introduce a new tertiary scholarship scheme for children of cocoa farmers, as part of broader efforts to modernise and sustain Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The scholarship will target beneficiaries pursuing tertiary education, particularly in agriculture and cocoa-related programmes, to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to transform the industry.
The Board Chairman of COCOBOD, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, announced this at the 75th and 3rd Graduation Ceremony of Bunso Cocoa College in the Eastern Region.
He also revealed that the College will be upgraded into a fully-fledged university to be known as Ghana Cocoa University.
Dr. Ofosu Ampofo explained that the previous scholarship scheme, which supported children of cocoa farmers at the secondary school level, became redundant following the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy.
Consequently, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the newly constituted COCOBOD Board to design a fresh scholarship framework focused on tertiary education.
According to him, the new initiative will ensure that children of cocoa farmers have access to higher education and specialised training to sustain and modernise the cocoa sector.
He stressed that Bunso Cocoa College will serve as the primary institution for training cocoa farmers’ children in cocoa production, agribusiness and related fields.
Established in 1950, Bunso Cocoa College is COCOBOD’s premier training institution and currently offers diploma programmes in cocoa-related disciplines.
The Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Mr. Randy Abbey, highlighted the College’s critical role in delivering applied knowledge essential to the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector.
He noted that the institution has recently secured re-accreditation for another five years and is preparing to roll out new degree programmes, a development expected to expand opportunities for beneficiaries of the proposed scholarship scheme.
The Rector of Bunso Cocoa College, Mrs. Mercy Asamoah, disclosed that advanced plans are underway to transform the institution into a specialised university dedicated to cocoa, coffee, cashew and other tree crops.
Graduands at the ceremony were urged to apply their training and expertise to contribute meaningfully to the growth and transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
