However, the scholarship would be phased out when they complete their secondary education. “This is because it is anticipated that the Free Senior High School Programme would cater for the fees of all beneficiaries, “Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs and MP for Nsuta Kwamang Beposo has told Parliament.

Mr Asafu-Adjei made the announcement when he read the Report of the Committee, seeking the approval of GHC 598.62 million estimated budget for planned programmes and activities for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in 2018.

The Committee urged the COCOBOD to be sure that all stakeholders were consulted and needs of beneficiaries were catered for before the end of scholarship scheme.

On cocoa roads, the House was informed that all cocoa roads projects had been put on hold because of an ongoing audit to ensure value for money, as “within a period of three years, road contracts went up to the tune of GHC 5.1 billion against a budget of GHC1.6 billion.

The Chairman said the road construction would continue after the audit, but the Committee urged the Board to expedite action on the value for money audit to ensure continuation of the road projects since most of the cocoa roads were currently in a deplorable state.

Mr Asafu-Adjei told the House of re-designation of the mass cocoa spraying programme, and explained that it was meant to encourage private sector participation.