Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, Minority Spokesperson on Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Offinso South, has appealed to cocoa farmers not to sell their farms to illegal miners or destroy them out of frustration following the recent drop in cocoa prices.
Speaking during an engagement with farmers at Asunsu No. 1 in the Dormaa Central Constituency, Dr. Opoku urged calm despite concerns over the reduction in the producer price from GH¢3,600 to GH¢2,500 under the Mahama-led administration.
The visit formed part of the Minority Caucus’ outreach to cocoa-growing communities across the country.
Dr. Opoku expressed optimism about the New Patriotic Party’s chances in the 2028 general elections, stating that a future NPP government led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would introduce policies to improve cocoa prices and the overall welfare of farmers.
He also cautioned the current government against any further reduction in cocoa prices, warning that Minority Members of Parliament would not hesitate to join farmers in protest if such a decision is taken.
“We will stand with the farmers, even if it means staging a naked demonstration,” he stressed.
Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annor Dompreh, also questioned farmers about campaign promises made by President John Mahama and the NDC, including plans to purchase cocoa at GH¢6,000 and provide mechanised boreholes.
He noted that such promises are yet to materialise, pointing out that there is no evidence of mechanised boreholes in farming communities.
He further criticised the reduction of the cocoa price from GH¢3,100 under the previous Akufo-Addo administration to GH¢2,500, adding that delays in payments to farmers have worsened their financial difficulties.
Some farmers at the meeting voiced their frustration over the price cuts and what they described as the government’s failure to pay them promptly for cocoa beans sold through purchasing clerks.
They called on the President to address their concerns urgently, warning that continued neglect could trigger widespread discontent among cocoa farmers.