Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has praised the party’s record in Ghana’s cocoa sector, describing it as unmatched in the nation’s history.
Speaking at a community engagement in Numereso, Odotobiri Constituency, on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Dr. Prempeh highlighted the significant strides made under the NPP government, which he attributed to strategic investments aimed at increasing production, enhancing farmer welfare, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
According to Dr. Prempeh, the NPP’s commitment led to Ghana’s highest-ever cocoa production in the 2020/2021 season, exceeding one million metric tons.
This achievement, he emphasized, was a direct result of policies focused on boosting the sector, such as the introduction of mass spraying, pollination, and fertilizer distribution programs.
Addressing the issue of cocoa farmers’ welfare, Dr. Prempeh underscored the substantial improvements in the producer price of cocoa under the NPP.
He pointed out that when the NPP assumed office in 2016, the price of a sack of cocoa was GHS 475.
“Today, that figure has risen to GHS 3,000, following two consecutive increases in 2024 alone” .
He noted that these price hikes, including a 58.26% increase in April, reflect the government’s dedication to safeguarding farmers from international market fluctuations while enhancing their livelihoods.
“This [price increase] is a clear indication of our commitment to the wellbeing of the Ghanaian cocoa farmer. We are giving farmers more value for their produce, stabilizing their income, and encouraging further investment in the cocoa sector, which will generate more jobs and drive economic growth,” Dr. Prempeh stated.
Dr. Prempeh, also known as “Napo,” urged the people of Odotobiri to continue supporting the NPP by voting for its presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and parliamentary candidate, Lawyer Anthony Mmieh, in the upcoming 2024 elections.
He wrapped up his tour with stops in Bekwai and Fomena constituencies, where he rallied support for parliamentary candidates Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei and Lawyer Andrew Asiamah.
The NPP’s focus on improving the cocoa sector, Dr. Prempeh argued, is part of a broader strategy to elevate the living standards of Ghanaians and stimulate national development.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
