Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh has called on President John Dramani Mahama to seek advice from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on managing the country’s economy, as concerns grow over the cocoa sector and broader economic pressures.
Speaking during an evening meeting with cocoa farmers in the Bekwai District, part of the Minority Caucus’ ongoing tour of cocoa-growing communities in the Ashanti Region, Annoh-Dompreh criticised what he described as the government’s struggle to stabilise the economy within a short time in office.
He pointed to the previous administration under Akufo-Addo, arguing that it managed to keep the economy running, pay public sector workers, and maintain essential services such as electricity and water supply even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, there should be no hesitation in seeking guidance from a predecessor if it helps improve governance outcomes.
“It is not a shame to seek advice,” he told the farmers, stressing that Ghana’s current challenges require practical leadership and collaboration rather than pride.
His remarks come amid intensified criticism from the Minority over developments in the cocoa sector, particularly cuts in producer prices—described by the opposition as “haircuts”—and delays in releasing funds to purchasing clerks responsible for buying cocoa from farmers.
The opposition argues that these issues are deepening the hardship faced by cocoa farmers, many of whom rely on the crop as their main source of income.
Annoh-Dompreh accused the government of failing to prioritise farmers’ needs and warned that the Minority would continue to push for action until the situation improves. He assured farmers that efforts would persist to demand a reversal of the price reductions and ensure timely payments.
“We will continue to speak for the ordinary farmer,” he said, adding that the tour is intended to bring farmers’ concerns directly to Parliament and drive policy changes to safeguard the sector.
The Bekwai visit forms part of a nationwide outreach by the Minority Caucus, which began in the Eastern Region and has now moved into the Ashanti Region. The tour involves direct engagement with farmers in their communities—often late into the evening—to gather firsthand accounts of challenges such as falling incomes, rising production costs, and payment delays.
He also took aim at government spending priorities, urging President Mahama to reconsider what he described as the acquisition of “luxury jets” and instead channel resources into supporting struggling cocoa farmers. Such spending, he argued, is difficult to justify at a time when many farmers are under financial strain.
Ghana remains the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, with the sector playing a vital role in export earnings and rural livelihoods. However, ongoing concerns over pricing, funding, and policy direction continue to fuel debate over how best to sustain the industry.