The Ghana’s National Cocoa Farmers Association has reiterated it’s called for a price increase for the new planting season, setting a minimum price of GH¢6,000 per 64 kilo.
The Association lamented that farmers will accept nothing less than GHC6,000, arguing that the current low cocoa price in the sub-region as a threat to farmers’ financial stability.
Stephenson Anane Boateng, National Chairman, said Ghana offers the lowest amount in the subregion.
Speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he said “all the countries surrounding us are offering the best price for cocoa, and Ghana is offering the lowest of GHC 2,070. But Cameroon is offering Ghc7,780, Nigeria is Ghc7,880, and Madagascar is Ghc8,960. Philippines is GHC5,920, and Togo is GHC7,040. Comparing the prices to those of Ghana, you will agree with me that Ghana is offering the lowest price, and that is not in the interest of farmers. We are demanding the GHC6,000 because that is what we deserve. The agenda is to respect the interests of farmers and ensure the sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
The price of cocoa has increased astronomically this year, and we did not understand why COCOBOD gave us GHC 2,070. It is not surprising that some people attempted to smuggle cocoa out of the country in a petrol tanker. Our demand is that we want GHC6,000 and nothing less. People will continue to smuggle the cocoa because the countries where they smuggle to are offering the best prices. This will continue to go on, and farmers will be blamed. We don’t have the money to event hire tankers to smuggle cocoa, so we cannot be blamed for that.”
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he said our leaders have paid lip service to the cocoa sector and agriculture in general.
On his part, a cocoa farmer in Elubo and executive member, Agya Ackah, said if their request is not approved, they will not sell to the government.
He also warned that they will prevent COCOBOD officials from coming to their farms.
He referred to those who have opposed their request as witches and wizards and nation-wreckers.
“The cocoa does not magically spring out of water, a rock, or the soil. Farmers plough their lands and invest hard work and resources, but they are given peanut as the price for the cocoa. Done farmers have come out to commend COCOD over the Ghc 2,070 and even asked for Ghc 3,000. Such people are witches, wizards, and nation-wreckers. We want GHC6,000. If they even give us Ghc5,999, we will reject it.
If they refuse to give us this amount, we will prevent officials from COCOBOD from having access to their farms. We will also refuse to sell to the government other crops, including maize, cassava, tomato, kontomire, and others. We cannot detail all our plans in public, but we know what to do. We have other measures in place that will have serious impact for the country,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
