Accra: The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has strongly criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over recent developments in Ghana's cocoa sector. Kodua described the NDC's attempts to blame the NPP for challenges in the sector as 'absurd' and 'untenable,' especially in light of the NDC's governance over the past year.
According to Ghana Web, Kodua addressed these allegations during an appearance on TV3, dismissing claims that the former NPP administration mismanaged the cocoa sector. He particularly pointed to the changes in cocoa pricing as evidence of the NDC's missteps rather than NPP's alleged mismanagement.
Kodua highlighted a significant price increase in 2025, where cocoa prices rose from GH?3,100 to GH?3,600 per bag. He argued that the NDC did not accuse the NPP of mismanagement when prices were raised, questioning how the sector could be deemed destroyed if the price could be increased.
Further criticising the current government's decision to lower the cocoa price from GH?3,625 to GH?2,587, Kodua suggested this move was indicative of poor leadership. He asserted that this reduction revealed the NDC government's inability to manage the sector effectively.
The crisis, Kodua explained, began in October when cocoa farmers sold their produce to purchasing clerks under agreed payment terms. He expressed concern over the government's decision to reduce the agreed price, questioning the timing and awareness of the issues in the cocoa sector.
Kodua called on the government to provide clear explanations regarding the rationale for the price reduction and urged them to address the concerns of the cocoa farmers.