The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to axe the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, following the recent crises in the cocoa sector.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, February 12, the Ranking Member on the Economy and Development Committee of Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, outlined the minority’s concerns.
“So we, in the minority, have a number of requests to the government. All of this has come about because of the reset that COCOBOD did. And that is why, respectfully, we ask the President to relieve the COCOBOD CEO of his responsibilities at this point in time,” he said.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah also called on the government to protect cocoa farmers in line with past practices, amidst the recent challenges, including huge debts and the inability of the government to pay farmers.
“We are asking the government that in previous times when cocoa prices fell and the government absorbed the shock and protected the cocoa farmer, the NDC government should absorb the cost of what they have done and protect the cocoa farmer and restore at least the 3,625 that they promised. This 2,800 or so that they are promising is totally unacceptable,” he added.
Highlighting the growing discontent among farmers, Mr Oppong Nkrumah warned that demonstrations could be imminent.
“Already, we are receiving messages from cocoa farmers who say that if this is what is going to happen, they are going to demonstrate in a number of days. And if they do, we in this caucus will join them on the streets to do this demonstration,” he hinted.
His comments come after the government set a new farmgate cocoa price at GH₵41,392 per tonne for the 2025–2026 season, equivalent to GH₵2,587 per bag, effective immediately.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the revised cocoa producer price in a press briefing, noting that it is aimed at cushioning farmers against the recent decline in global cocoa prices.
The Finance Minister emphasised that the revised price is designed to protect farmers’ incomes amid volatile international market conditions while sustaining Ghana’s position as a leading cocoa producer.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com