Lawrence Kwesi Botchway, also known as Kwesi Botchway Jnr—a special aide to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia—has heavily criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, accusing it of deceiving Ghanaian cocoa farmers.
The lawyer described the recent reduction in cocoa prices as a “betrayal” of the farmers and a sharp contradiction to the government’s previous promises.
He pointed out a glaring inconsistency in the government’s narrative. He noted that while the current administration consistently alleged that the previous government “criminally mismanaged” the economy, former President Akufo-Addo still managed to pay farmers GH₵3,100. Despite this, the NDC government has slashed prices since taking over.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, Botchway argued that if the government lacks the capacity to increase prices, they have a fundamental responsibility to at least maintain the rate they inherited.
“The NDC should maintain the GH₵3,100 we left them because this government, while in opposition, accused us of criminally mismanaging the economy, and yet we gave farmers GH₵3,100 per bag,” Botchway stated. “And so what happened to the point that ‘Saint’ Mahama and his ‘holier than thou’ appointees have reduced the cocoa price instead of giving them the GH₵6,000 they promised? Clearly, they lack the ability to transform the economy and deliver on their promises to the cocoa farmers and the cocoa sector.”
He further asserted that despite the administration’s pledge to curb wasteful spending, the leadership at COCOBOD appears disconnected from the reality on the ground.
He specifically cited reports of the CEO travelling abroad in business class while farmers were actively protesting.
He emphasised that the CEO should have been present to meet with farmers who had travelled from Sefwi Wiawso to the COCOBOD headquarters to voice their grievances. Instead, Botchway claimed the CEO is “living large” at the expense of the struggling farmers.
In his interview with host Kwabena Agyapong, Botchway took aim at the CEO’s leadership, suggesting a profound lack of empathy for the protesters’ plight.
“I would have had no problem with the CEO travelling outside Ghana, but at a time when the sector was struggling and farmers were protesting, he should have been around to speak with them,” he said. “About eight of the farmers who were part of the demonstrators had to be rushed to the hospital because they took ill; they had slept at the headquarters and suffered mosquito bites.”
He concluded by stating that the current leadership has demonstrated a lack of understanding for the job, leaving cocoa farmers to bear the brunt of their incompetence.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
