Former Member of Parliament for the Upper Denkyira East Constituency, Dr. Festus Awuah Kwofie, has called on former President John Dramani Mahama to absorb the difference in the producer price of cocoa and maintain the previous rate to protect the cocoa sector.
According to him, cocoa farmers across the country are deeply disappointed in the government’s decision to reduce the producer price of cocoa from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587, describing the move as one that could cripple the sector.
Dr. Awuah Kwofie made the call during an interview on Denkyiraman Radio, saying stakeholders would continue to mount pressure on the government to reinstate the old producer price.
He noted that the cost of goods and services, fuel prices, exchange rates, utilities, and transport fares have all increased, placing an additional burden on cocoa farmers.
Dr. Awuah Kwofie attributed the reduction in the producer price to what he described as incompetence on the part of the leadership of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the government, as well as the alleged artificial injection of $10 billion into the economy.
He stressed that cocoa farmers must not be made to suffer for decisions taken by government.
He recalled that during the COVID-19 period, the previous administration was able to pay Ghanaian workers for several months despite limited economic activity, and urged the current government to adopt similar innovative measures to support cocoa farmers.
Dr. Awuah Kwofie said farming in Ghana was tedious and warned that if urgent steps were not taken, cocoa smuggling into neighbouring countries such as Côte d’Ivoire and Togo could increase.
He therefore called on the government to find the necessary funds, cut down on what he described as unnecessary spending at COCOBOD, and protect the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
Dr. Awuah Kwofie also demanded the dismissal of the COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Randy Abbey, over what he described as poor leadership.
