The Ghana Cocoa Board announced on Wednesday that it has released GH¢21,228,637.11 to 19 Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for the payment of the second trance bonuses to cocoa farmers in July.
A statement signed by Mr Anthony Fofie, Chief Executive of COCOBOD, said this was in fulfillment of government's pledge to pay bonuses twice a year to cocoa farmers.
It said the bonus to be paid was GH¢32.00 per tonne or GH¢2.00 per 64kg and asked all LBCs to comply accordingly.
"The Board takes this opportunity to assure cocoa farmers it will continue to provide them with such incentives to motivate them to produce premium quality," Mr Fofie said.
The LBCs are: Produce Buying Company Ltd; Olam Ghana Ltd; Akuafo Adamfo Marketing Company Ltd; Adwumapa Buying Ltd; Federated Commodities Ltd; Kuapa Kokoo Limited; Transroyal Ghana Limited; Armajaro Ghana Limited; Cocoa Merchants Ghana Limited and Diaby Company Ltd;
The rest are Dio Jean Company Limited; Sika Aba Buyers Limited; Royal Commodities Limited; Sompa Kokoo Company Limited; West Africa Exchange Company Limited; Chartwell Ventures Company Limited, Fereday Company Limited, Evadox Limited and Allied Commodities Limited.