Three 2020 Volta Region Best Cocoa Farmer awardees have finally received their prizes, about five months after the National Farmers’ Awards ceremony was held in Techiman in the Bono East Region.

This follows a feature by Joy News’ Fred Quame Asare which chronicled what the awardees described as a scheme to deny them their prizes. 

Nonetheless, the prizes presented to the awardees at the Volta Regional offices of COCOBOD were short of 3 items.

Allih Malik was adjudged the 2020 Volta Regional Best Cocoa Farmer. 

The 2020 Volta Regional Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer went to Samuel Ameko while Barbara Ayiti Won the 2020 Volta Regional Best Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer.

Unfortunately, they were unable to lay hands on their prizes after the awards ceremony was held in November 2020. 

However, COCOBOD made available some of the items to be presented to the awardees after Joy News highlighted the delay in handing over the prizes to the respective winners. 

The items presented included 3 tricycles, 3 sets of protective clothing, 3 dual purposed motorized slashers, Insecticides, fungicides, and face masks. 

Nonetheless, according to the awardees, the insecticides and fungicides were short in quantity, while the motorized sprayers and the cartons of chocolate promised them were not part of the items presented. 

The 2020 Volta Regional Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, Samuel Ameko, appreciated efforts by Joy News in ensuring they were given what is due them.

That, notwithstanding, he appealed to the relevant authorities to ensure the rest of the items are made available to them to support them expand their farms.

The Volta Regional Manager in charge of Cocoa Health and Extension Division, Linus Kofi Fiakeye, explained a report will be sent to the national headquarters for possible redress.