The cocoa price was recently reduced, and its effects are severely felt among farmers across Ghana. On a visit to cocoa growing communities in the Tano North, Asutifi North and Asutifi South districts of the Ahafo Region, Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament of Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annor Dompreh issued a stern warning. If the government, under President John Dramani Mahama, does not listen to farmers’ concerns as to the decrease of the prices, the Minority in Parliament will ask the Asantehene to intervene, he said.
“The move seeks to ease the suffering that farmers are going through as a result of price cuts and the outstanding payments,” Mr Dompreh said. Should the government refuse to process the petition to the Asantehene, he said, it would be obvious evidence that the administration doesn’t really care about the cocoa farmers, despite their pledges during the campaign for 2024.
The Minority Chief Whip went on to point out that President Mahama is known for leadership but has lapsed in controlling cocoa and needs to acknowledge this. Aggrieved cocoa farmers Lydia Kyeremeh and Keep Adu told the media that the cut in price and the slow delivery of cocoa payments is causing financial difficulties for many of them. They said the situation was rendering it extremely difficult to support their children in school, especially children at higher levels, and appealed to opinion leaders to passionately protest against the government’s decision. Mr Dompreh emphasised that the Minority caucus will continue to put the heaviest load on the government’s case of returning to its decision and for farmers to receive timely payment for their cocoa.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
