Twifo Ntafrewaso, Dec. 16, GNA - The Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) has honoured 42 members of its staff at a workers durbar held at Twifo Ntafrewaso in the Central Region. Prizes ranging from bicycles, roofing sheets, ice chests, gas burner regulators and some quantity of soap were presented to the award winners. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Nenyo Asare Mate-Kole, Managing Director of TOPP, called for the establishment of a Ghana Oil Palm Board to help in the development of new technologies for the advancement of the industry in the country.

He noted that, setting up such a board, would promote a strong scientific and technological support through research, development and commercialization of such research findings. Mr Mate Kole said "it would also help in the transfer of knowledge and innovation as well as play a significant role in matters relating to the registration, licensing, enforcement and the marketing of oil palm". He noted that the cocoa industry in Ghana has been successful, mainly through the support of Ghana Cocoa Board.

The Managing Director congratulated the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of the TUC on its 50th anniversary and commended the union for promoting the interest of workers and regulating industrial relationship to settle employee employer disputes amicably. Mr Mate Kole appealed to the union to step up the training of its members to enhance their knowledge of the company's broader issues. He said as part of its social responsibility, the company would continue supporting the rehabilitation of bore-holes, renovation of schools and the construction of KVIP's. The local union Chairman of TOPP, Mr J.K. Arthur, appealed to the management to involve the union in the transitional process of the long awaited change of the company's management.

Nana Appiah Numah II, Omanhene of the Twifo Traditional area, who presided, commended the company for its safety measures and appealed to the TOPP to increase its scholarships for the community from six to 12. Mr Joseph Foster Andoh, DCE for Twifo Heman-Lower-Denkyira, commended the management of TOPP as well as the chiefs of the district for contributing to the socio economic development of the area. He said the establishment of the project had improved the standard of living of the people in the area.