The Minority Caucus in Parliament has extended its nationwide cocoa farmers’ engagement tour to the Central Region, intensifying pressure on the government over the ongoing cocoa price controversy and delayed payments to farmers.
The latest stop of the campaign saw the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, leading a high-powered delegation to Obengkrom in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese Constituency, where angry farmers and traditional leaders openly expressed frustration over what they described as worsening hardship in the cocoa sector.
The engagement forms part of the Minority’s nationwide outreach to cocoa-growing communities following concerns over reductions in cocoa producer prices and complaints from farmers over unpaid cocoa beans.
Over the past few months, the opposition has toured several cocoa-producing regions, including Eastern, Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East, where farmers, chiefs, purchasing clerks, and traders have consistently voiced concerns about declining incomes, a lack of ready markets, and rising production costs.
At Obengkrom, emotions ran high as several cocoa farmers demanded immediate payment of monies they claim are owed them by the government. Some farmers directly appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the administration of failing to honour promises made to cocoa farmers before the 2024 elections.
Others lamented that the reduction in cocoa prices had worsened living conditions in farming communities, making it difficult for them to cater for their families and maintain their farms.
One emotional moment during the engagement involved a woman farmer who reportedly admitted relying on the President’s name to secure loans in anticipation of improved cocoa prices and better conditions promised during the campaign period.
Her comments drew reactions from the crowd, reflecting the growing anger and disappointment among sections of the farming community.
Traditional authorities also joined the criticism.
The Chief of Obengkrom openly expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the cocoa sector and reportedly accused political leaders of failing ttheir promises toth with farmers.
His comments reflected broader frustrations among community leaders who say cocoa farmers are increasingly losing confidence in government interventions.
The Minority MPs used the occasion to intensify their criticism of the government. John Ntim Fordjour, who addressed the gathering, shared practical experiences from cocoa farming and argued that the current administration had not treated cocoa farmers fairly.
He insisted that the challenges confronting the sector require urgent policy interventions rather than political rhetoric.
Also addressing the gathering, the Member of Parliament for Offinso South, Isaac Yaw Opoku, issued a dramatic warning against any further reduction in cocoa prices, declaring that he would stage a naked protest if the government cuts producer prices again.
His remarks drew loud reactions from the farmers gathered at the meeting.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin used the platform to defend the New Patriotic Party’s record on social intervention policies, arguing that successive NPP administrations had consistently introduced programmes aimed at improving the welfare of ordinary Ghanaians, including farmers.
He assured the cocoa farmers that the Minority would continue to champion their concerns both in Parliament and across the country until meaningful interventions are implemented.
The Central Regional engagement further highlights the growing political battle surrounding the cocoa sector, with the opposition positioning itself as the voice of aggrieved farmers while the government continues to defend its decisions on pricing and sector reforms.
