Minority MPs Tour Cocoa Communities, Criticize Government’s Price Cut
Minority MPs, led by Frank Annoh-Dompreh, toured cocoa-growing communities in the Eastern Region to protest the government’s reduction of cocoa producer prices. They urged a bailout to protect farmers from bearing the full impact of global price fluctuations, citing rising costs and economic hardship.
Mary Adofo
The Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has led a team of Minority Caucus members on a fact-finding tour of cocoa-growing communities in Ghana’s Eastern Region, following the government’s recent reduction of cocoa producer prices.
The visit comes amid growing concern among farmers over the price adjustment, which the government attributes to declining global cocoa prices. Officials have maintained that the new rates reflect international market conditions.
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh, however, criticized the decision, describing it as a “rip-off,” and called for a government bailout to cushion farmers rather than forcing them to bear the full burden of global price fluctuations. He emphasized that cocoa producers are already grappling with rising input costs and broader economic challenges.
Joining the Chief Whip on the tour were MPs including Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Isaac Yaw Opoku, Michael Aidoo, Seth Osei-Akoto, Samuel Awuku, Ida Adjoa Asiedu, Laurette Korkor Asante, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Charles Asuako Owiredu, Alexander Agyare, Davis Opoku Ansah, Gideon Boako, and Rudolf Amoako-Gyampah.
During discussions with farmers, the MPs stressed that reducing producer prices without providing compensatory support threatens livelihoods and could undermine the cocoa sector. The Minority’s tour highlights ongoing tensions between the government and opposition over agricultural policy and farmer welfare.
