Price of cashew is at its lowest under Akufo-Addo's govt; it's now GH₵3.00 per kilo — Nkoranza South NDC

The communications bureau of the opposition National Democratic Congress in the Nkoranza South Constituency of the Bono East Region has called on the Akufo-Addo-led government on the need to look at cashew pricing in Ghana.

In a statement released by the communications bureau, the communications officer, Mr Kwasi Agyenim Boateng, described the agony of cashew farmers as a ''seasonal hardship'' which needed to be addressed by the government.

''As we speak today, the price of cashew is at its all-time low, an unprecedented three cedis (GH₵3.00) per kilo, which can not even pay for the cost of labor during the harvest period alone. Even with these horrible and provocative prices, there are conditions,'' Mr Kwasi Agyenim Boateng stated.

Kindly read the full press statement below;

For Immediate Release
NKORANZA SOUTH NDC COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU.

THE GOVERNMENT MUST INTERVENE IN THE CASHEW PRICE TO EXTRICATE CASHEW FARMERS FROM FURTHER TORRENTIAL HOSTILITIES

The cashew farmers within the Nkoranza Traditional Land (Nkoranza South Constituency, Nkoranza North Constituency, Kintampo North Constituency, and Kintampo South Constituency) are facing severe hardship which might be described as a seasonal disaster, and needs immediate and deliberate government intervention to help avoid further worsening the plight of our gallant farmers. The current poor condition of farmers is a resultant impact of poor pricing and sometimes total neglect from buyers.

As we speak today, the price of cashew is at its all-time low, an unprecedented three cedis (GH₵3.00) per kilo, which can not even pay for the cost of labor during the harvest period alone. Even with these horrible and provocative prices, there are conditions. Some buyers are demanding that farmers dry it before they purchase while others are requesting for farmers to shell, which was not the case during the Mahama and NDC government.

However, our checks indicate that there is only one shelling machine in the whole Bono, Ahafo, and Bono East Regions. The only shelling device is located in Sampa. Therefore, the inconveniences in this insincere exercise are beyond imagination.

How can the Akuffo Addo's government and its functionaries be so insensitive and unconcerned to the plight of the very farmers who gave them power? This government, before this year's cashew season, made a political promise that the prices of cashew would be regulated and controlled. They even threw some figures around that it would be bought at a minimum price of eight cedis (GH₵8.00). Today, what are we experiencing now?

It is refreshing that the next NDC government will put proper measures in place to offer decent prices to the farmers. Our noble and gallant farmers will see tremendous improvement in their livelihoods.

Kwasi Agyenim Boateng KATASKO Communications Officer

0545149584
Salim Osman
Deputy Communications Officer