Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at the current government accessing it of collapsing the country’s cocoa sector.
He lamented that the sector is on the verge of collapse because of the mismanagement of the sector by the Akufo-Addo government.
Addressing party supporters and branch executives at the start of a two-day campaign tour of the Western North Region, Mr. Mahama said the current has failed to adjust the producer price of cocoa annually.
He also claimed the delayed payment of farmers for cocoa beans are part of the factors destroying the sector.
“Under the previous NDC administration, we ensured that there was an upward adjustment in the producer price [of cocoa] every year. But that is not the case with this government. Price adjustments are taking place after four years. This is what is collapsing the sector”, he stated.
He noted that cocoa farmers no longer find farming lucrative and are willing to give out their lands for galamsey because the returns are far better than farming.
“He doesn’t mind selling his farm for galamsey because there’s no profit from the cocoa business today. Payment of farmers for their cocoa purchases is no longer instant and they do not get any bonus. Farmers must now wait for three to four months to receive payment”, he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
