Hon. Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina-Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, has called on the government to pay cocoa farmers their rightful dues and stop cutting cocoa prices.
Speaking in Parliament, Onyina-Acheampong expressed shock at the government’s decision to reduce the cocoa price, citing unfulfilled promises to farmers.
“The government told farmers they would receive a very good price, but they’ve drastically reduced the price of a bag of cocoa,” Onyina-Acheampong said. He noted that the reduction is unfair, especially considering the increased costs of electricity, water, and transportation faced by farmers.
The MP highlighted that previous governments, including the NDC, had cushioned farmers during price drops, but the current government is failing to do so. “The difference between us and this insensitive government is that we care about the ordinary farmer,” he emphasised.
Onyina-Acheampong demanded that the government restore the original price of GH¢3,625 per 64 kg bag and pay any differences owed to farmers.
He warned that the price cut would hurt over six million people dependent on cocoa, including farmers, licensed buying companies, and purchasing clerks.
The government has attributed the price cut to global market trends and financial pressures, but Onyina-Acheampong argues that these are not new challenges and that the government should take responsibility.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
