Mr. Samuel Awuni, the 2010 National Best Cocoa Farmer has paid a courtesy call on H. E. Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo, Ghana High Commissioner to UK and Ireland as part of his two-week tour of the UK. Mr. Awuni's who is visiting UK as part of his award for being selected the 2010 National Best Cocoa Farmer is sponsored by Ghana Cocoa Board. Mr Awuni expressed gratitude to the government of Ghana and COCOBOD for the honour bestowed upon him, and urged his fellow farmers especially the youth in Ghana to take cocoa farming seriously in order to reap financial benefits as well as strengthen the Ghana Cocoa industry. On his part, H.E. Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo said he was encouraged that a young farmer won the award in an industry that is perceived to be for the elderly. He congratulated Mr Samuel Awuni for his contribution towards the growth of the cocoa industry. He hoped that this would be a good example to the youth to motivate them to go into farming. "The government of Ghana is doing its best to better the livelihood of cocoa farmers and this is the best time for the youth to get into agriculture to better their economic fortunes', Prof. Danso Boafo said. Mr Noah Amenyah, Public Affairs Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board, who is accompanying Mr. Awuni on the tour said COCOBOD with the support of government have put in place structures and policies like the Cocoa Hi-tech programme, disease and pests control as well as the observance of good agronomic practices to sustain growth of the industry. Mr Amenyah said smuggling of cocoa across Ghana's borders which pose a major challenge to the industry has been minimised through increase in producer price of cocoa and anti- smuggling campaigns. He added that due to pragmatic measures put in place by the COCOBOD, it is set to meet the one million tonne production target this year, well ahead of its projected dates of 2012/2013. Mr Moussa Lenboni, the Manager of Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company UK Ltd, who was at the meeting said the National Best Cocoa farmer will visit an agricultural exhibition, cocoa processing factories, Ghana International Bank, fair-trade organisations, international organisations that buy Ghana's Cocoa and the offices of the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO). The farmer will also interact with the Ghanaian community in the UK. Present at the meeting was the Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Elizabeth Nicol, and sectional heads at the Ghana High Commission.