The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has pledged a long-term parliamentary fight to safeguard the earnings of cocoa farmers, declaring that the Minority will persist “even if it takes years” to ensure they receive what they are owed.
Oppong Nkrumah, who serves as Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, made the remarks during an interaction with farmers at Akyekrom, a cocoa-producing community in his constituency.
The meeting was part of a broader Minority Caucus tour of farming communities across the Eastern Region.
The engagement follows a recent reduction in cocoa producer prices — a decision that has sparked frustration among farmers in several growing areas.
While John Dramani Mahama and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) attributed the adjustment to falling global cocoa prices and financial strain within the sector, lawmakers from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) argue that the move places undue hardship on farmers already grappling with rising production costs and household expenses.
Speaking to farmers in Akyekrom, Oppong Nkrumah said he had earlier met some privately, where concerns were raised about pricing levels and delays in payment. The latest visit, he explained, was intended to formally gather feedback, observe conditions firsthand, and assure producers that their grievances would be forcefully pursued in Parliament.
Some farmers indicated that public announcements about the release of funds had not translated into actual payments at the farm gate, with several claiming they were yet to receive monies they had been informed were disbursed.
Beyond cocoa, others pointed to broader economic pressures, including unsold rice stockpiles, which they linked to increased rice imports affecting local demand.
In response, Oppong Nkrumah assured the gathering that the Minority Caucus would demand accountability from the government and seek clarity on cocoa payments and related policy measures.
He emphasised that the effort transcends short-term politics and is aimed at protecting livelihoods within the cocoa value chain.
“Even if it takes years, we shall fight for what is due you,” he told the farmers, drawing applause.
The Minority delegation said it will sustain its outreach across cocoa-growing districts and escalate concerns to the national level, arguing that cocoa farmers remain pivotal to Ghana’s economic resilience and deserve stable pricing, prompt payments, and policies that protect their incomes.
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