Ghana’s leading Agro-inputs company, Chemico Limited, has pledged its commitment to support the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (GRIG) to enhance its research activities on getting more innovative products to boost Ghana’s cocoa production.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Joe Ohemeng who made the pledge on behalf of the company observed that Ghana’s cocoa production hit over 1 million tonnes this year, “a clear indication that this is the time Agriculture is taking pride of place in Ghana as such the need to support CRIG to do better so that Ghana can do better”.

He therefore called on Government and other stakeholders in the Cocoa Industry including Private Agro-inputs companies to join hands and support GRIG to enhance its performance.

Mr. Ohemeng was speaking to the Press at a ceremony to hand over a cheque of GH¢. 50,000 as a sponsorship package to CRIG for its 24th Annual Tafo Golf Open. In addition the company handed over branded souvenirs, T-shirts and refreshment worth over GH¢20,000 as the main sponsor for this year’s tournament.

The 24th Tafo Open Golf Championship was honoured on Friday December 3rd and Saturday December 4, 2021. This year’s tournament attracted renowned Golfers in the country including: Mr. Mike Aggrey, President of the Ghana Golf Association who recently represented Ghana in the Olympic Games, Mr. Kwasi Amoafo-Yeboah, Captain of the Achimota Golf club and Mr. Kofi Amoabeng, President of the Tafo Golf Club.

Mr. Joe Ohemeng, the M.D of Chemico Ltd. who is a Past Captain of the Celebrity Golf Club and Mr. Abed Botchway, Board Chairman, Chemico Ltd. who is also a Past Captain of the Achimota Golf Club also represented.

Mr. Ohemeng recalled that Chemico Ltd. has been in business with CRIG since 1976 as a Government institution that validates and certifies its Agro-chemical products it brings to the market. “It’s only appropriate that at a time like this we come in stronger to help them to do better. We will sponsor the tournament for the next 2 years and hope to renew the package after 2023”.

“We have a multifaceted agenda that with this sponsorship, the interest in the game of Golf will improve because Golf is good for exercises, the performance of CRIG will also be enhanced so their turnaround time will be faster for them to do more research to help get more innovative products on the market for cocoa production to improve to boost the economy”.

Mr. Ohemeng seized the opportunity to wish farmers a happy farmers’ day.

“We are your Agro partner and whatever you need to improve your yields to reduce the burden of laborious farming, Chemico Ltd. will deliver for more yields to get more money so that the teeming youth will find Agriculture more attractive for the country to have many more people in Agriculture.”

Adding his voice, Mr. Emmanuel Dzamefe, Marketing Manager, Chemico Ltd. reiterated that the support to CRIG is expected to spur a more fruitful relationship between the two bodies.

CRIG as a Division of Cocobod has been responsive to our activities as such this support forms part of our Corporate Social responsibility of giving back to where we get our support from”.

Mr. Dzamefe urged farmers to partner Chemico Ltd. to get the right Agro-input for best farming practices. “Our flagship product for the cocoa industry; Cocoasett which is a liquid foliar fertilizer is still making wonders for cocoa farmers. With this product there is nothing like ‘cocoa season’ because its uniqueness in inducing flowering and maintaining them as well means new and more pods keep coming throughout the farming season.

Receiving the cheque for the tournament, Captain of the Tafo Golf Club, Mr. Joseph Boatey, admitted that at some point in time the Annual Tafo Golf Tournament faced challenges with sponsorship but Chemico came at the right time to salvage the situation.

“We are grateful to them for the support and we assure to work hand in hand to promote their quality Agro-input products to boost Ghana’s cocoa industry”.