Teamwork and collaboration are essential for achieving set targets or goals in various settings, including business, education, and healthcare. Research has shown that teams can achieve more than individuals working alone (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993). Effective collaboration enables teams to share knowledge, skills, and expertise, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving (Hansen, 2009).
It is against this backdrop that the Daboase CHED District, in its quest to achieve 100%+ set targets for productivity enhancement programs popularly known as PEPS activities, recently held a stakeholder engagement meeting with chief farmers, opinion leaders, local cocoa facilitators, task force members, and licensed cocoa buying companies within the district. The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Pentecost Church in Daboase, aimed to discuss Cocobod (CHED) programs and policies for the 2024/2025 operational year.
The meeting highlighted the importance of effective collaboration between stakeholders in achieving set targets. As noted by Katzenbach and Smith (1993), teamwork and collaboration are essential for achieving success in various settings. The district’s efforts to engage stakeholders and foster collaboration are in line with research evidence, which suggests that teams can achieve more than individuals working alone (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993).
During the meeting, stakeholders discussed various topics, including:
1. Adoption of Good Agronomic Practices: Stakeholders discussed and emphasized the importance of adopting good agronomic practices, such as pruning, fertilization, and pest management, to improve cocoa yields and quality. Looked at the challenges encountered during the 2023/2024 operational year and provided recommendations on how to address them.
2. Codapec/Hi-tech Issues: The meeting addressed issues and challenges faced by farmers in accessing Codapec/Hi-tech services, including the need for sprayers and other mass spraying logistics or equipment.
3. Welfare Matters: Stakeholders discussed welfare matters, including the challenges faced by aged farmers and labour costs.
The district’s commitment to addressing these challenges and improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers is commendable. As noted by Hansen (2009), effective collaboration enables teams to share knowledge, skills, and expertise, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.
The Daboase CHED District’s stakeholder engagement meeting demonstrates its commitment to fostering collaboration and achieving set targets. By working together, stakeholders can achieve more than they could alone, leading to improved outcomes and success.
As noted by Gersick (1988), teamwork and collaboration can lead to improved communication, increased motivation, and enhanced creativity. The Daboase CHED District’s stakeholder engagement meeting is a testament to the power of teamwork and collaboration in achieving set targets and improving outcomes.
In conclusion, the Daboase CHED District’s efforts to engage stakeholders and foster collaboration are a step in the right direction. The district’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by cocoa farmers and improving their livelihoods is commendable.
Kabiru Mohammed
District Extension Coordinator
Cocoa Health and Extension Division (COCOBOD)