Akokoamon: Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip, has intensified criticisms against the government's decision to reduce cocoa producer prices, questioning whether President John Dramani Mahama would have taken the same step in an election year.
According to Ghana News Agency, while interacting with some cocoa farmers at Akokoamon in the Tano North Constituency of the Ahafo Region, Mr Annoh-Dompreh highlighted that the timing of the price reduction is politically calculated. He speculated that the government might be positioning itself to restore or increase prices closer to Election 2028 to gain voter support.
The Whip, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam Adoagyiri, led some members of the Minority Caucus on a tour of cocoa farming communities in the Afafo Region. They visited the area to listen to the concerns of cocoa farmers and amplify their voices in parliament to address their plight.
His criticisms follow widespread discontent among cocoa farmers after the government's decision to reduce the cocoa producer price from GHS3,625 to GHS2,587 per bag. Mr Annoh-Dompreh regretted the reduction and the government's delays in paying the cocoa farmers, stating that it was unfair to those whose livelihoods heavily depend on cocoa production. He argued that the 'burden is being shifted onto already struggling farmers' and accused the government of misplaced priorities.
Dr Gideon Boako, the MP for Tano North, also criticized the government for what he described as a 'rollback of benefits previously enjoyed by cocoa farmers'. He accused the government of failing to fulfill Election 2024 campaign promises, including commitments to significantly improve cocoa pricing and farmer welfare.
Some farmers expressed frustration over the price cut, highlighting that rising costs of labor, fertilizer, and transportation have made cocoa farming increasingly unsustainable. According to them, if urgent steps are not taken to reverse the decision or provide relief, the situation could worsen, thereby threatening the livelihoods of cocoa-growing communities.