The Minority in Parliament has signalled its readiness to compel Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson to appear before the House to address growing concerns over delayed payments to cocoa farmers.
Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 17, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the situation has become urgent, as government has yet to fully settle payments owed to farmers for produce supplied during the 2024/2025 planting season.
“This is a House of Parliament, a platform of the people’s representatives. This is where we discuss national issues. The cocoa farmers in Volta, Ashanti, Bono, and Western North regions have been denied their dues,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
“If the Majority Leader will not bring the Finance Minister, we, the Minority, will use the appropriate laws available to us to summon the Finance Minister.”
He stressed that the issue transcends partisan lines, describing it as a national economic concern that directly affects the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers.
Delays in payments have reportedly sparked frustration among farmers, who rely on timely compensation to prepare for the next planting season. Payments are crucial for land preparation, purchasing inputs, servicing loans, and supporting household needs.
Any disruption in the payment cycle can ripple across rural economies, affecting local businesses, transport operators, and agricultural supply chains.
The Minority is demanding that the Finance Minister personally brief Parliament on the causes of the delays, outline funding gaps within the cocoa sector, and explain measures being taken to stabilise the industry.
Afenyo-Markin’s threat comes amid growing calls from cocoa-growing communities for the government to expedite payments and ensure that farmers receive their rightful dues on time.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com