Former President John Dramani Mahama has blasted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his NPP government of mismanaging the cocoa sector and pushing it to the verge of collapse.
According to him, the government’s failure to adjust the producer price of cocoa annually and the delayed payment of cocoa farmers for the cocoa beans are parts of the factors destroying the sector.
He said. “Under the previous NDC administration, we ensured that there was an upward adjustment in the producer price [of cocoa] every year. But that is not the case with this government. Price adjustments are taking place after four years. This is what is collapsing the sector.”
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Mr. Mahama is contesting for the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to lead it into the 2024 presidential election.
He stressed that the sector must be supported, noting that some farmers no longer find farming cocoa lucrative.
He referred to a farmer who said he will give out his land for galamsey because the returns are far better than farming.
“He doesn’t mind selling his farm for galamsey because there’s no profit from the cocoa business today. Payment of farmers for their cocoa purchases is no longer instant and they do not get any bonus. Farmers must now wait for three to four months to receive payment”, he added.
The former president is visiting all nine constituencies in the region and is expected to continue to the Ashanti Region.