The Ghana National Association of Cocoa Farmers (GNACOF) has warned politicians to tread cautiously, accusing them of deceiving voters to win power before failing to deliver on their mandates.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the association’s national public relations officer, said successive governments had failed to fulfill promises made to cocoa farmers, a trend she argues is damaging the sector.
She warned that Ghanaian voters could soon boycott elections because the pledges made during political campaigns rarely match the reality of governance.
Criticising the political establishment, she argued that politicians have little genuine interest in transforming the cocoa sector and routinely abandon farmers once campaigns conclude.
Her remarks follow an announcement by the industry regulator, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), that it has released funds to clear all outstanding debts owed to farmers.
“The politicians have nothing better for cocoa farmers,” she added. “They don’t regard or respect us. They think we are fools. Year after year, when they campaign for power, they make promises they cannot deliver just to win elections. After winning power, they ignore us and do the opposite of what they promised us. It will soon get to the point where no Ghanaian will vote in an election, because these politicians have fooled us for far too long.”
COCOBOD recently announced the release of 2.6 billion Ghanaian cedis (GH¢) to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to settle outstanding debts owed to cocoa farmers nationwide.
The funding is part of broader efforts to support the agricultural sector, with approximately GH¢1.4 billion of the total earmarked specifically to clear debts for cocoa previously purchased on credit.
According to COCOBOD, this latest injection brings the total amount disbursed to LBCs since the start of the 2025/26 crop season to just over GH¢34.5 billion.
Responding to the news on Rainbow Radio’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Nana Yaa Asantewaa expressed deep skepticism, noting that farmers have endured a long history of unfulfilled promises and financial neglect.
She explained that while the association is aware of the announcement, members are withholding judgment until Monday before deciding on their next course of action.
She lamented that the unfair treatment of cocoa farmers has deprived them of their livelihoods, creating severe hardships across the community.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
