The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annor Dompreh, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama over what he describes as the poor handling of cocoa sector, urging him to seek guidance from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Speaking during a Minority Caucus engagement with cocoa farmers at Asunsu No. 1 in the Dormaa Central Constituency, Mr Annor Dompreh said the current administration’s approach to managing the cocoa sector has fallen short, despite President Mahama’s experience in governance.
“It is not too late for President Mahama to consult former President Akufo-Addo on how to manage cocoa-related issues,” he said, drawing a comparison between the two administrations’ handling of global cocoa price fluctuations.
According to him, although international cocoa prices experienced downturns during the tenure of former President Akufo-Addo, the previous administration maintained producer prices as a sign of commitment to farmer welfare.
Mr Annor Dompreh further accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to adopt lessons from the governance approach of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), instead engaging in political attacks.
“The NDC should be learning from the NPP’s governance record, not engaging in insults,” he stated, adding that the Minority would intensify its outreach to cocoa-growing communities to highlight what it describes as the negative impact of current policies on farmers’ livelihoods.
In a related development, the Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Onyina Acheampong Akwasi Gyamfi, assured farmers of the Minority’s commitment to holding the government accountable for its financial obligations in the cocoa sector.
He also cautioned farmers against what he described as politically motivated promises, warning that improved producer prices could be announced closer to elections as a strategy to win support.
“They may offer better prices when elections approach, but farmers must remain vigilant and not be swayed by short-term promises,” he said.
The engagement forms part of the Minority Caucus’ ongoing tour of cocoa-growing communities, as political debate intensifies over the future of Ghana’s cocoa sector and the welfare of farmers who depend on it.
Source: asaaseradio.com
