The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has pledged a sustained parliamentary battle to secure what he describes as the rightful earnings of cocoa farmers, insisting that the Minority will not relent “even if it takes years” to restore what is due them.
His remarks came during an engagement with farmers at Akyekrom, a cocoa-growing community within his constituency, as part of a broader Minority Caucus tour of farming 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 triggered discontent among farmers across 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, opposition New Patriotic Party, NPP lawmakers argue that the move unfairly shifts economic burdens onto farmers who are already grappling with rising input costs and household expenses.
Addressing the gathering at Akyekrom, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that he had earlier met with the farmers privately, during which they expressed deep frustration over the current pricing regime and delayed payments.
According to him, the latest visit with his Minority colleagues was intended to formally listen to their grievances, assess the situation firsthand, and reassure them that their concerns would be pursued vigorously in Parliament.
Farmers at the meeting reportedly complained bitterly about financial hardships, claiming that government announcements about the release of funds had not translated into actual payments at the farm gate.
Some indicated that they were yet to receive monies they were told had already been disbursed, raising questions about delays within the payment chain.
Others lamented 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 the farmers that the Minority Caucus would hold government accountable and push for transparency regarding cocoa payments and related interventions.
He emphasised that the fight was not a short-term political exercise but a sustained effort to protect farmer livelihoods and ensure fairness within the cocoa value chain.
“Even if it takes years, we shall fight for what is due you,” he told the farmers, drawing applause from sections of the crowd.
The Minority delegation, which has been touring cocoa-growing communities in the Eastern Region, says it will continue to engage with farmers and raise their concerns at the national level.
The caucus maintains that cocoa farmers remain central to the economic stability and deserve predictable pricing, timely payments, and policies that protect their income.
Source: asaaseradio.com
