The screening exercise was organized by the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of COCOBOD in partnership with Vision Spring Ghana, an NGO.

About 1,000 farmers from Atwima Nwabiagya North and South, Mponua and Kwanwoma, received free eye screening, treatment and counselling and reduced prices for medicines for those who needed them.

The exercise, which was on the theme: ‘see-to-earn,’ aimed at helping the farmers to see better, work better, increase their yields, and improve incomes.

Mr. Nii Kotey, the Nkawie Cocoa Officer, addressing the last batch of the beneficiaries at Nkawie, stressed the need for the farmers to have good sight to be able to successfully undertake the ongoing hand pollination exercise which aimed at increasing yields in cocoa farms.

Dr. Agnes Nana Baah Oppong, Principal Optometrist of the Atonsu-Agogo government hospital and Partner of the NGO, who led the medical team, stressed the need for yearly eye screening by all to help in the early diagnoses and treatment of various eye diseases.

He said this was essential for people with hypertension, diabetes, HIV and others which could affect the eyes.

Mr. Benjamin Marfo, the Nwaibiagya Chief Farmer, commended CHED and the partners for the support and urged the farmers to put the various pieces of advice received to good use to protect their eyes.