The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced that it will reallocate resources from its traditional scholarship scheme to improve primary school infrastructure in cocoa-growing communities. This move aligns with the government’s Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative and aims to create a more substantial impact in underserved areas.
Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of the Board, highlighted the necessity of adapting to the evolving educational landscape, particularly following the transformative Free SHS program introduced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration. “With the advent of the Free SHS by the Akufo-Addo administration, it’s time for us to adapt and evolve. The COCOBOD Scholarship Scheme, while a notable and valuable program, has naturally lost its core purpose,” he stated.
For many years, the COCOBOD Scholarship Scheme was instrumental in supporting students from cocoa-farming communities, aiding their educational advancement. However, recognizing the new educational priorities brought by the Free SHS initiative, COCOBOD has decided to discontinue the scholarship program and establish the Cocoa Board Education Trust.
This new trust will focus on creating model basic schools in cocoa-producing regions, addressing critical infrastructure gaps, and enhancing educational opportunities for local children. Mac Manu reaffirmed the board’s commitment to the welfare of cocoa farmers and their families through the establishment of the Cocoa Board Education Trust.
“The primary goal of this trust is to direct efforts and resources toward developing essential primary school infrastructure in underserved cocoa-growing areas,” Mac Manu explained, underscoring COCOBOD’s dedication to fostering sustainable progress and educational access within these communities.
The transition from the scholarship scheme to the Education Trust marks a strategic vision to align COCOBOD’s educational investments with emerging needs and opportunities. By focusing on primary education infrastructure, COCOBOD aims to ensure a lasting positive impact on cocoa-growing regions and future generations.
This shift reflects a broader commitment to the holistic development of cocoa-growing communities, ensuring that children in these areas receive the foundational education they need to thrive. Through the Cocoa Board Education Trust, COCOBOD is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of many, providing better educational facilities and opportunities for children in cocoa-farming areas.
