Over 150 cocoa farmers in the Bono Region’s Sunyani East Municipality recently underwent health screening as part of the Valentine’s Day celebrations in Ghana, commonly known as Chocolate Day. The screening was conducted in collaboration with Cocobod and the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) hospital in Sunyani.
The aim of the exercise was to identify and address health issues affecting cocoa farmers in cocoa-growing areas. Administrator of Cocobod in the region, Michael P.K. Asumanu, emphasized the importance of consuming cocoa products for their health benefits, a move that ultimately benefits the farmers.
The farmers were screened for high blood pressure, sugar levels, body weight, and also underwent eye screening to ensure that any hidden health conditions do not escalate and put them at greater risk. The healthcare initiative is crucial, as many farmers rarely visit hospitals and fail to seek medical treatment, which ultimately affects their work as key stakeholders in the cocoa economy.
Kwame Adu Twum, a nutritionist at the SDA hospital, stated that in addition to prescribing medications for the farmers, those with more serious cases were referred to the hospital for further assessment and treatment. He emphasized the importance of regular health checkups and screening for safeguarding the health of the farmers.
The Administrator of Cocobod revealed plans to provide medications for the farmers during future screening exercises, particularly for diabetic patients. However, some farmers, like 59-year-old Kwabena Nyarko, expressed concerns about the financial burden of purchasing prescribed drugs for their health conditions. They have appealed to the government to provide drugs for them during future screenings to alleviate their suffering.
The climax of the Chocolate Week celebration also saw the exhibition of cocoa products, the outdooring of a cocoa shop to sell cocoa products, and a quiz competition among some senior high schools in Sunyani. This health initiative and the celebratory events showcase the importance of supporting the health and well-being of cocoa farmers, the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
