The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has intensified criticism of the government’s decision to reduce cocoa producer prices, questioning whether John Dramani Mahama would have taken a similar decision in an election year.
Speaking during an interaction with cocoa farmers at Akokoamon in the Tano North Constituency of the Ahafo Region, Mr Annoh-Dompreh described the timing of the price reduction as politically calculated.
He argued that the government could be positioning itself to restore or increase prices closer to the 2028 general elections to gain an electoral advantage.
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Mr Annoh-Dompreh, who is also the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, was leading members of the Minority Caucus on a tour of cocoa-growing communities in the Ahafo Region to engage farmers and bring their concerns to the attention of Parliament.
His remarks follow growing discontent among cocoa farmers after the government reduced the producer price of cocoa from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag.
The Minority Chief Whip described the reduction as unjustifiable and unfair, particularly at a time when farmers are already grappling with delayed payments and rising production costs.
“The burden is being shifted onto already struggling farmers,” he stated, adding that the livelihoods of many households depend heavily on cocoa farming.
He accused the government of misplaced priorities, alleging that while farmers face financial hardship, significant resources are being allocated to political structures.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh claimed that each constituency office of the governing party receives GH¢20,000 monthly, with regional offices receiving as much as GH¢100,000, questioning why similar urgency is not applied to addressing the challenges of cocoa farmers.
The Member of Parliament for Tano North, Gideon Boako, also criticised the government, describing the decision as a rollback of benefits previously enjoyed by cocoa farmers.
He accused the administration of failing to honour its campaign promises ahead of the 2024 elections, particularly commitments to improve cocoa pricing and enhance farmer welfare.
Some cocoa farmers who interacted with the Minority expressed deep frustration over the price reduction, citing rising costs of labour, fertiliser, and transportation, which they say have made cocoa farming increasingly unsustainable.
They warned that unless urgent steps are taken to reverse the decision or provide relief measures, the situation could deteriorate further, threatening the livelihoods of cocoa-growing communities across the country.