The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has pledged a prolonged parliamentary battle to secure what he describes as the rightful earnings of cocoa farmers, declaring that the Minority will not relent “even if it takes years” to restore what is due them.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, who also serves as Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, made the remarks during an engagement with farmers at Akyekrom, a cocoa-growing community within his constituency. The meeting forms part of a broader outreach tour by the Minority Caucus across farming communities in the Eastern Region.
Growing Discontent Over Price Reduction
The visit comes in the wake of the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices — a move that has sparked discontent among farmers in several producing regions.
President John Dramani Mahama and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have attributed the price adjustment to declining global cocoa prices and financial pressures within the sector.
However, lawmakers from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) argue that the decision unfairly transfers economic strain onto farmers already grappling with rising input costs and household expenses.
Farmers Cite Payment Delays
Addressing the gathering at Akyekrom, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that he had earlier held a private meeting with some of the farmers, during which they expressed deep frustration over the pricing regime and delays in payments.
He explained that the latest visit, undertaken with his Minority colleagues, was aimed at formally listening to their grievances, assessing the situation firsthand, and assuring them that their concerns would be pursued vigorously on the floor of Parliament.
Farmers at the meeting reportedly complained that government announcements about the release of funds had not translated into actual payments at the farm gate. Some claimed they were yet to receive monies they had been informed were already disbursed, raising questions about bottlenecks within the payment chain.
Others highlighted broader economic pressures, including unsold rice stocks in the area, which they attributed to increased imports that have dampened demand for locally produced rice.
“We Shall Fight for What Is Due You”
In response, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah assured the farmers that the Minority Caucus would demand transparency regarding cocoa payments and related interventions. He emphasised that the engagement was not a short-term political exercise but part of a sustained effort to protect farmer livelihoods and ensure fairness within the cocoa value chain.
“Even if it takes years, we shall fight for what is due you,” he told the gathering, drawing applause from sections of the crowd.
The Minority delegation says it will continue its tour of cocoa-growing communities and escalate farmers’ concerns at the national level. The caucus maintains that cocoa farmers remain central to Ghana’s economic stability and deserve predictable pricing, timely payments, and policy measures that safeguard their incomes.