It’s completely absurd to describe protesting cocoa farmers as NPP — Miracles Aboagye

An Aide to former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised comments suggesting that protesting cocoa farmers are aligned to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He described the claim as insensitive and out of touch with the realities facing farmers following the recent reduction in cocoa farmgate prices.

On Thursday, February 12, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson announced a 28.6 per cent reduction in the farmgate price of cocoa, cutting more than GH¢1,000 off the price per bag.

The decision triggered protests by cocoa farmers, some of whom reportedly travelled from the Western North Region to picket at the headquarters of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

In Parliament, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga suggested that the protesting farmers were not genuine, a comment that has since sparked backlash.

Speaking on Accra-based Joy News’ AM Show on Monday, February 23, Miracles Aboagye rejected the assertion.

“It's completely absurd for anybody to say that an 84-year-old travels all the way from the Western North Region to come to the seat of government to demand his livelihood and then you say he is NPP,” he said.

He argued that the issue goes beyond partisan politics and affects the survival of cocoa-dependent communities.

“This conversation is not politics. It is about people’s survival and livelihood. People are genuinely suffering,” he stressed.

According to him, many farmers have not been paid for several months, affecting their ability to pay school fees, settle debts and maintain their farms.

He asserted that in many cocoa-growing communities, farmers operate largely on credit and only settle their obligations when payments are made.