The Minority leadership in Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has come under criticism for what some political opponents describe as a misinformation campaign in cocoa-growing communities.
According to members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), recent engagements by Minority leaders, including Frank Annor-Dompreh and Patricia Appiah Agyei, Dr. Ayew Afriyie among others have involved claims that funds from cocoa price adjustments were diverted for to buy Private Jet for Presidential use by President John Dramani Mahama.
The NPP has not publicly substantiated these claims, and government officials have not confirmed any such diversion of funds.
The issue has sparked reactions among residents in Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region, with some questioning the tone and direction of political campaigning in the country’s cocoa sector.
Observers note that cocoa pricing has become a politically sensitive issue, particularly as global market fluctuations continue to affect producer countries such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
NDC Responds to Allegations
Commenting on the matter, Asokwa Constituency NDC chairman aspirant Ade Napoleon criticized the NPP’s approach, describing it as misleading and unproductive.
“The NPP is yet to fully recover from its 2024 electoral defeat, and this is reflected in the kind of messaging we are seeing,” he said.
He further urged political actors to focus on factual and issue-based discourse rather than what he described as “propaganda.”
Cocoa Pricing Context
Recent data from the international cocoa market indicates a decline in global cocoa prices after a period of sharp increases earlier in the year. This has influenced producer pricing decisions in both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, recently adjusted its farmgate price downward in response to global market trends. Ghana has also reviewed its producer price, though government officials maintain that efforts are being made to cushion farmers against extreme volatility.
Industry analysts emphasize that such price adjustments are typically linked to global supply dynamics, weather conditions, and international demand rather than domestic political decisions.
Ade Napoleon also cautioned against actions that could destabilize the cocoa sector, including alleged attempts to influence farmers’ decisions regarding their farms.
“We must protect the integrity of the cocoa sector and ensure farmers are not misled by political narratives,” he said.
He added that the current administration, led by President Mahama, alongside Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku and Ghana COCOBOD CEO Randy Abbey is committed to addressing longstanding challenges in the sector.
The cocoa sector remains a critical pillar of Ghana’s economy, employing millions of farmers and contributing significantly to export revenues. As such, analysts argue that political discourse surrounding the industry must be grounded in verified data and responsible communication.
With both major political parties seeking to rebuild trust among cocoa farmers, stakeholders are calling for transparency, fact-based engagement, and policies that directly address farmers’ concerns.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
