The Minority in Parliament has challenged the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to publicly release the list of purchasing clerks and Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) allegedly paid by the government, following widespread complaints from cocoa farmers over delayed payments.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, raised the issue on Thursday (19 March) while addressing farmers at New Edubiase during the fourth day of the Minority Caucus’s tour of cocoa-growing communities in the Ashanti Region.
“If payments have indeed been made, transparency demands that the list of beneficiaries be made public,” Annoh-Dompreh said, noting that many farmers reported not receiving payment for their cocoa since October.
The Minority has criticised recent reductions in cocoa producer prices, warning that further cuts could worsen financial hardships for farmers already grappling with rising input costs and delayed payments.
Annoh-Dompreh also highlighted government directives instructing LBCs to suspend cocoa purchases, a move he said has left farmers unable to sell their produce.
He accused the administration of failing to deploy mechanisms that would cushion farmers from price shocks, exposing them to unnecessary financial stress.
Consult Akufo-Addo
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP has also urged President John Dramani Mahama to seek economic guidance from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo amid concerns over the management of the economy and developments in the cocoa sector.
“It is not a shame to seek advice,” Annoh-Dompreh said, adding that the country’s current economic situation requires pragmatic leadership.
He contrasted the situation with the previous administration, saying the government led by Akufo-Addo managed to sustain the economy and maintain essential services even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will continue to speak for the ordinary farmer,” he said, insisting that the opposition would keep pushing for policies that protect cocoa farmers and improve their livelihoods.
Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, and the sector remains a key pillar of the country’s economy and a major source of export earnings.
Source: asaaseradio.com
