New public management, cocoa swollen shoot virus disease control and farmers opposition: a case study of the Tafo District, Eastern Region, Ghana

Abstract

This study presents findings on the control of the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) in Ghana. It examines the resistance posed by cocoa farmers to the control of CSSVD through the destruction of diseased cocoa trees. The study’s guiding proposition was that the resistance posed by cocoa farmers to the control of CSSVD could be addressed if a customer-driven approach was used. To explore this proposition, a multiple research method combining interview, Focus Group discussion and policy document analysis was used to gather data. The study was conducted in the Tafo district in the Eastern region of Ghana; the sample consisted of 210 cocoa farmers who participated in semi-structured interviews and 45 respondents who took part in the Focus Group Discussion; and the data obtained was analysed using qualitative and quantitative techniques.The findings indicated that the resistance of the cocoa farmers to the destruction of the diseased cocoa trees was a principal challenge of the CSSVD control in Ghana. The findings also supported that the New Public Management approach to the control of CSSVD will involve the inputs of the cocoa farmers and will therefore reduce their resistance. The study also emphasized the need for education and sensitization of cocoa farmers on issues bothering on the spread and control of CSSVD. The study concluded that to improve the control of CSSVD, a New Public Management approach to the implementation of CSSVD control measures should be adopted to address the issue of resistance by cocoa farmers.

A Thesis submitted to the Centre for Continuing and Distance Education Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Commonwealth Executive Master Of Business Administration,CEMBA),May-2009

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