Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, has alleged that the government has directed Licensed Buying Companies to suspend cocoa purchases across the country — a move he says is causing significant distress among farmers.
According to him, the directive has left many cocoa farmers unable to sell their produce at a time when they are already grappling with a reduction in producer prices.
Speaking during a visit to Offinso on Sunday, Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the development points to what he described as insufficient support for farmers, who form the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
“The government has directed Licensed Buying Companies to suspend cocoa purchases nationwide, causing distress among Ghanaian cocoa farmers, while Ivory Coast continues buying activities,” he claimed.
The Minority Chief Whip made the remarks when a delegation from the Minority Caucus in Parliament paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, during the celebration of the Akwasidae Festival.
The visit formed part of a five-day tour by the Minority Caucus to cocoa-producing communities in the Ashanti Region. The tour, led by Mr Annoh-Dompreh, aims to engage farmers directly and better understand their concerns following the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices.
Before beginning the tour, the delegation sought the blessing of the caretaker of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, in line with traditional protocol.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh, who belongs to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), argued that the alleged suspension of cocoa purchases could worsen the financial difficulties facing farmers.
While acknowledging that fluctuations in global cocoa prices are not new, he said Ghana has historically had systems in place to cushion farmers from the full impact of such changes.
According to him, the current administration led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has failed to effectively utilise those mechanisms to protect farmers.
“The reactions from farmers show they are unhappy and uncomfortable with the price cut,” he added.
Despite his criticism, the Minority Chief Whip said the tour of cocoa-growing communities is not intended to be confrontational but rather to provide an opportunity to engage farmers and better understand the challenges they face.
Meanwhile, Nana Dwamena Akenten II welcomed the delegation and commended their decision to interact directly with cocoa farmers.
He noted that farmers remain the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa economy and urged policymakers to pay closer attention to their concerns.
“The cocoa price cut has hit us hard because I am a cocoa farmer myself. It is good that you have come to hear the farmers’ concerns firsthand,” the Offinso chief said.
However, he cautioned the visiting lawmakers to ensure their engagement with farmers is not driven by political motives.
On behalf of the Asantehene, the chief granted the delegation permission to proceed with their tour of cocoa-growing communities in the region.