The meeting was held at the Assembly hall of the Fanteakwa South District Assembly on the 16th of November 2023 at exactly 10:00 am
The team leader of Solidaridad said that their major focus is to ensure that their partnership with cocoa associations benefit the community at large and for that matter they have relieve programs such as the village savings and loans which is to help the farmers financially
The head of the planning unit FSDA (Madam Mary) admonished solidaridad to help farmers in terms of their health because their good health will boost their production of cocoa in their respective communities
Mr. Mark Obese the union manager for the Fanteakwa cooperative cocoa farmers union said their union is promoting cocoa farming amongst the youth and has provided 100 youth support (Capital, training etc.) to encourage them develop interest in cocoa farming .He outlined few challenges with the cocoa growing communities and one of the is child labour amidst this challenge they are able to provide empowerment programs for the women in the various communities. The Union also provides training on organic compost farming to the farmers
The District Coordinator for CHED also in his presentation said they also provide the farmers with pruning, pollination and have introduced a new activity called cocoa traceability which will help the producers of the cocoa to produce quality cocoa seedlings and will also serve as a checking mechanism for good and quality seedlings
Another challenge which he mentioned as impeding on the success of cocoa production was smuggling of cocoa, Galamsey and climate change.
The District Agric Director in his presentation mentioned capacity building as one of their main area of operation to support cocoa farmers
Lastly the District Coordinating Director applauded solidaridad and the fanteakwa cooperative cocoa farmers union for their enormous support towards cocoa farmers in the district.