Hon. Frank Yeboah, Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya North, has underscored the pressing challenges faced by cocoa farmers in the Ashanti Region during the fourth day of the Minority Caucus’s engagement with key agricultural stakeholders. The tour took the parliamentary team to several cocoa-producing districts, including New Edubiase, Adansi Asokwa/Akrofuom, Obuasi East/Obuasi West, and Fomena.
At each stop, the MPs engaged directly with farmers, listening to their firsthand accounts of daily struggles in sustaining cocoa production. Among the recurring concerns were declining government support, unmet promises, and a perceived sense of neglect that threatens both livelihoods and the broader cocoa industry.
Speaking as the moderator of the engagements, Hon. Yeboah noted that the farmers’ grievances were not only genuine but also a clear signal of the urgent need for policy intervention. “The sincerity and passion with which these farmers spoke reflected their deep commitment to cocoa farming and their frustration at the lack of concrete support,” he remarked.
Farmers recounted several promises made by the government that, according to them, remain unfulfilled, leaving them feeling overlooked despite their critical role in the economy. The discussions highlighted pressing issues such as access to inputs, fair pricing, and infrastructural support, all of which directly affect production and livelihoods.
Hon. Yeboah emphasized that cocoa farmers are the backbone of Ghana’s economy and that their concerns must be addressed promptly. “If the government cannot increase support, they should at least not reduce it. The cocoa farmer deserves better,” he said, stressing the need for immediate attention and policy action.
The Minority Caucus’s tour serves as a crucial platform for giving cocoa farmers a voice and ensuring that their perspectives are brought to the forefront of national discourse. The engagement concluded with a renewed call for responsive governance and sustainable support mechanisms that safeguard the interests of farmers and strengthen Ghana’s cocoa sector.
