Company Profile

SEND GHANA, a policy research and advocacy organization, was founded in 1998. The vision of SEND Ghana is “A Ghana where people’s rights and well-being are guaranteed” with a mission “to promote good governance and equality of men and women in Ghana”.  It is headquartered in Accra, with network offices in Tamale and Salaga.

Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

FOR

A CONSULTANT TO UNDERTAKE A DESK STUDY ON COCOA RECEIPTS AND SPENDING AS WELL AS THE COCOBOD COCOA PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMMES AND OTHER FARMER WELFARE INTERVENTIONS.

• Project title: FAIR FOR ALL
• Organization: SEND GHANA
• Duration: 14 working days from signing of contract

BRIEF BACKGROUND

Ghana is currently the second largest producer of cocoa in the world, accounting for about 20% of the share of the world’s cocoa, behind Cote d’Ivoire which accounts for about 40% of total world production. The contribution of the cocoa industry to the Ghanaian economy is significant, employing approximately 800,000 farm families and generating $2 billion annually through foreign exchange of export.

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has implemented various programs aimed at enhancing cocoa productivity and improving the wellbeing of cocoa farmers in Ghana. They have been engaged in Cocoa Rehabilitation and Intensification Program (CRIP) which is focused on rehabilitating and intensifying old and diseased cocoa farms. This program is aimed at improving cocoa yield by providing farmers with improved planting materials, fertilizers, and technical assistance.COCOBOD has also been engaged in the Hand Pollination Program which is an effort to increase cocoa yield. This involved training farmers in proper hand pollination techniques to enhance cocoa pod formation. They have as well been implementing the Mass Pruning and Mass Spraying Programs and plans are well advanced concerning the Cocoa Pension Scheme which is designed to improve the welfare of aging cocoa farmers by providing monthly pensions to cocoa farmers after their retirement.

Nevertheless, global trade rules and the cocoa primary commodity value chains fuel inequality within and between countries and undermine economic opportunities for millions of women and men. In Ghana, mentions can be made of low wages for farmers, lack of access to credit, limited technical knowledge, insufficient support from Government amongst others.

In February 2023, The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), honoured 15 visually impaired cocoa farmers from three cocoa-producing regions for their immense contribution to the success of the cocoa industry in Ghana. There are several farmers living with disabilities who are contributing to the sustenance of the cocoa industry and need to have knowledge of issues in the sector relating to their welfare and productivity with emphasis on cocoa receipts and expenditure. Such important information if they exist are not readily available to persons with disabilities (PWDs). There must be easy access to this information so that those in the sector can contribute to the discourse.

In a bid to advocate for   inclusive and sustainable trade in value chains of cocoa production that respects persons with disabilities, SEND GHANA seeks the services of a consultant to review and produce a report on annual cocoa receipts and expenditure in formats (brail and audio visual) accessible to the visually impaired.

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

To undertake a desk study on COCOBOD cocoa productivity enhancement programs and other farmer welfare interventions in cocoa value chain especially for Persons with Disability (PWDs) with emphasis on cocoa receipts and spending information between 2013 and 2023.

SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES

The main services to be undertaken by the consultant include, but not limited to the following will be to;

1. Conduct a desk study on COCOBOD cocoa productivity enhancement programs and other farmer welfare interventions in cocoa value chain especially for Persons with Disability (PWDs) with emphasis on cocoa revenue and how it has been expended over the past 10 years.
2. Produce a full report and a 3-page policy brief to SEND GHANA on the findings of the study.

METHODOLOGY

The consultant will be required to do a desk study.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES

TIMEFRAME

The consultant is expected to complete the assignment in 14 working days after the contract has been signed.

REPORTING

The consultant will report to SEND GHANA on all issues related to the consultancy.

Required Skills or Experience

REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• The Consultant / Company should possess at least 5 years of professional experience in Agric Economics, Finance, Economics, Statistics research, or a related field of study.
• The consultant should possess at least an MA/MSc/ MPhil in the areas above.
• Appreciates issues of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
• Possesses strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• Has the ability to work within a limited time frame.