The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced plans to roll out a new scholarship programme aimed at supporting children of cocoa farmers who are pursuing tertiary education, particularly in agriculture-related fields intended to drive modernization within the cocoa industry.
According to the Board Chairman, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, an earlier scholarship scheme targeted at senior high school students was discontinued after the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy.
Following directives from President John Dramani Mahama, COCOBOD has since designed a new framework that shifts the focus of the scholarship initiative to tertiary-level education.
Addressing participants at the 75th and 3rd Graduation Ceremony of Bunso Cocoa College, Dr. Ofosu Ampofo stated, “This new scholarship initiative will ensure that children of cocoa farmers gain higher education and the skills needed to sustain and modernize the cocoa sector.”
Bunso Cocoa College, founded in 1950 as COCOBOD’s flagship training institution, currently runs diploma programmes in cocoa-related disciplines.
The institution has successfully obtained re-accreditation for an additional five years and is making preparations to roll out new degree programmes, which are expected to benefit beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme.
Rector of the College, Mercy Asamoah, disclosed that plans are underway to upgrade Bunso Cocoa College into a full-fledged university—Ghana Cocoa University—with a specialised focus on cocoa, coffee, cashew, and other tree crops.
Dr. Ofosu Ampofo further noted that the College is expected to become the primary destination for children of cocoa farmers seeking specialised training in cocoa production and agribusiness.
Meanwhile, COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Randy Abbey, underscored the institution’s importance in providing hands-on knowledge essential to the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector, urging graduates to play active roles in advancing Ghana’s agricultural development.
