Kumasi, Dec 11, GNA---The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (GCCSFA) has congratulated President John Agyekum Kufuor on his re-election for a second four-year term.

In its message after a special meeting convened in Kumasi on Monday and signed by the Regional Chairman, Nana Kwame Amankwatia, the association called for "the sustenance of the various interventions that within the last four years had brought hope and prosperity to the Ghanaian farmer.''

''We have every reason to believe that you will continue with the efforts at making agriculture, which is the backbone of the country's economy, more attractive and rewarding under the Positive Change Chapter Two, the blueprint of your government's development agenda". The farmers assured the President of their resolve to work hard to raise production.

They appealed to their colleagues to maintain traditional practices that had over the years earned Ghana reputation for the production of quality cocoa beans.

"Let us recognise that we will be letting the government down if we allow the unhealthy competition among the Licensed Cocoa Buying Companies to lower standards and destroy the quality of our cocoa".