Minority urges government to increase cocoa prices

The Minority in Parliament is urging the government to honour its campaign promise by reviewing the cocoa price upwards.

According to them, the continued delay in adjusting the cocoa prices was unfair to cocoa farmers, who are not benefiting from the current high global cocoa prices.

Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee of Parliament, said the government should stop making excuses and take immediate action to increase the producer price of cocoa to better serve the interests of cocoa farmers.

The COCOBOD, in a statement recently, cited the absence of the Board of Directors and the Producer Price Review Committee as reasons for the delay in adjusting the price.

However, Dr Opoku said the Minority was deeply disappointed over the government’s failure to revise the cocoa price for the 2024/2025 season.

He described the situation as a major disservice to hardworking cocoa farmers and a clear deviation from the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s promises, referencing page 43 of the party’s manifesto, which outlines commitments to improving conditions for cocoa producers.

He said it was time the government took swift action to ensure that cocoa farmers received a fair return for their produce, especially in the face of rising costs and economic pressures.

GNA