By James Esuon, GNA
Agona Nsunan (C/R), May 13, GNA – The Minority Caucus in Parliament has started its engagement with cocoa famers across the Central Region to discuss issues concerning the negative effects on the reduction of farm gate producer price of cocoa.Â
The engagement led by the Minority Leader of Parliament, Mr Alexander Afenyo- Markin together with ranking Members in Parliament and party executives, provided a significant platform for cocoa farmers to openly air their views about challenges confronting the cocoa sector.
Areas visited included Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa and Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam in Agona East and West Constituencies where successful interactions were made.
Key among the issues raised were the vast reduction of producer prices, high cost of chemicals and negative impact it continued to have on their livelihoods and welfare.
The Minority Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to rally support for cocoa farmers and advocated policies and interventions that would improve the wellbeing of farmers and also protect the cocoa industry in future.
At Agona Nsunan in the Agona West Municipality, the farmers shared their frustrations and anxieties over the reduction of farm gate price of cocoa and made passionate appeals to the government to consider their plight and cushion them financially.
Mr Afenyo âMarkin, also the Member of Parliament for Effutu said it was unfortunate the ruling NDC, in opposition in 2024, promised to increase the price of cocoa to GHC6,500 when voted into power but had now taken outrageous decisions that had largely affected the farmers.
He said the visit was to encourage them that all was not lost and he would continue to engage the government on the matter until it reviewed the producer price of cocoa to improve the living conditions of farmers.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said farmers into rice, maize and other food crops were facing similar situation due to governmentâs decisions.
âI declare in the name of God that, come 2028 elections, the NPP will gain a majority in Parliament and win the Presidency for Dr Mahamudu Bamumia to improve the lives of cocoa farmers and all farmers in Ghana,â the Minority Leader said.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Linda Asante Agyei