The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has pledged a sustained parliamentary fight to secure what he described as the rightful earnings of cocoa farmers.
He said the Minority would not relent “even if it takes years” to ensure that farmers receive what is due them.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah made the pledge during an engagement with cocoa farmers at Akyekrom, a farming community in his constituency, as part of a broader Minority Caucus tour of cocoa-growing areas in the Eastern Region.
The visit forms part of the Minority’s ongoing outreach following the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices a decision that has generated discontent among farmers in producing regions.
President John Dramani Mahama and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have attributed the price adjustment to declining global cocoa prices and financial pressures within the sector.
However, lawmakers of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) argue that the move places an unfair burden on farmers already grappling with rising input costs and household expenses.
Addressing the farmers, Mr Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that he had earlier held a private meeting with them, during which they expressed frustration over the current pricing regime and delayed payments.
He said the visit with his Minority colleagues was intended to formally receive their grievances, assess the situation firsthand and assure them that their concerns would be pursued vigorously in Parliament.
Some farmers complained about financial difficulties, claiming that announcements regarding the release of funds had not translated into payments at the farm gate.
Others said they were yet to receive monies reportedly disbursed, raising concerns about delays within the payment chain.
The farmers also cited broader economic challenges, including unsold rice stocks in the area, which they attributed to increased inflows of imported rice affecting local demand.
In response, Mr Oppong Nkrumah assured them that the Minority Caucus would demand accountability from government and push for transparency in cocoa payments and related interventions.
He stressed that the effort was not a short-term political exercise but a sustained commitment to safeguard farmer livelihoods and promote fairness within the cocoa value chain.
“Even if it takes years, we shall fight for what is due you,” he said.
The Minority delegation indicated that it would continue to engage cocoa farmers across the region and elevate their concerns at the national level, maintaining that farmers remain central to Ghana’s economic stability and deserve predictable pricing, timely payments and supportive policies.
