Accra, Sept. 3, GNA - The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBD) announced on Thursday that the second tranche of the 2007/08 crop year bonuses for all cocoa farmers has been released to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for payment to the farmers.

A statement released by the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Mr Tony Fofie, reminded all LBCs that failure to pay bonuses to cocoa farmers was a serious malpractice under the regulations and guidelines on internal marketing of cocoa.

"Any cocoa farmer who has not yet received payment for the bonuses should report the LBC to the nearest regional or district offices of the Quality Control Company of COCOBOD," it said. It advised defaulting LBCs to pay all outstanding bonuses to cocoa farmers without any further delay or risk withdrawal of licence and criminal prosecution.