The Brong Ahafo Women Cocoa Farmers Union (BAWCOF) has asked President John Dramani Mahama to deliver on his campaign promise to give them a 70 percent increment in pricing.
The Association says they voted massively for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) because of this promise by the ruling government.
President of the Association, Madam Martha Addai, stated that the previous government did not treat cocoa farmers well, and so they all decided to vote for the NDC because of the assurance that things would be better.
‘’We voted massively for the NDC because they promised to increase the price of cocoa so that we would make more money. So we are awaiting in anticipation of the 70 percent increment. We have refused to sell our cocoa because we await the new prices. So our appeal is that they should increase the price. If they fail to increase the price as promised, we will be extremely disappointed,’’ she added.
Other members of the Association urged the government to take action against illegal mining activities, which are destroying farmers’ livelihoods.
They warned that if the situation was not resolved, it would continue to cause problems for farmers and Ghanaians in general.
Meanwhile, Stephenson Anane Boateng, President of the Ghana National Association of Cocoa Farmers, stated that the Association has no knowledge of the group.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that it was too early for them to make any demands because the government was currently putting their house in order.
”We are unaware of the existence of this organisation. That is why we have consistently advised cocoa farmers to always consult the Ghana Association of Cocoa Farmers before making public statements about cocoa issues. It is too early for them to make demands on the government, which is currently putting things in order.”
He expressed optimism that the meeting they have held with the Agric Minister over matters relating to cocoa will yield positive results.”I will only advise our members to remain patient because the new prices will be announced soon. We should prepare and put our house in order so that when the government announces its planned initiatives, we will benefit from them. If the government fails to deliver on its promises, we will also express our views on that so we can only admonish cocoa farmers to remain patient.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
