Accra, Jan.6, GNA - Government has released funds totalling GH¢23,426,637.51 to the following Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for payment of the first tranche of bonuses to cocoa farmers in January 2011. A statement issued by Management of COCOBOD on Thursday said this was in fulfilment of government's pledge to pay bonuses twice a year to cocoa farmers.

"Management of Ghana Cocoa Board is pleased to inform all stakeholde= rs in the cocoa industry, particularly cocoa farmers that the Board has released funds totalling GH¢23,426,637.51 to the following LBCs for payme= nt of the first tranche of bonuses," it said.

The LBCs are Produce Buying Company Limited, Olam Ghana Limited, Akuafo Adamfo Marketing Company Limited, Adwumapa Buyers Limited, Federated Commodities Limited, Kuapa Kokoo Limited, Transroyal Ghana Limited, Armajar= o Ghana Limited, Cocoa Merchants Ghana Limited and Diaby Company Limited. The rest are Diojean Company, Sika Aba Buyers Limited, Royal Commodities Limited, Sompa Kokoo Company Limited, Universal Co-operative, Blossom Exports Ghana, Mapie Enterprise, Evadox Limited, Allied Commodities Limited and Ghana Co-operative Marketing Limited. Others are Farmers Alliance Limited, Duapa Buyers Company Limited, Yayra Glover Limited, Abapa Golden Limited, CDH Commodities Limited and Aboafo Buyers Company Limited.

The bonus to be paid is GH¢40.00 per tonne (16 bags) or GH¢2.50 pe= r bag of 64kg of cocoa. All LBC's are kindly advised to take note and comply accordingly, th= e statement said.

"The Board wishes to assure cocoa farmers that it would continue to partner them towards continuous improvement of Ghana's cocoa industry,"= it added.