The Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has raised an alarm over alleged death threats directed at his team during their ongoing tour of cocoa-growing districts in the Ashanti Region.
Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip speaking to cocoa some farmers in Ashanti
Speaking at Manso Adubia on the third day of the outreach, Annoh-Dompreh revealed that the atmosphere surrounding their mission has turned increasingly hostile.
The claims follow a volatile confrontation on Tuesday at Bonkrom, located within the Ahafo Ano North Constituency, where a peaceful engagement with local farmers nearly descended into chaos.
Tensions at Bonkrom:
The legislative delegation had been traversing the region to engage farmers on the complexities of the current producer price climate.
However, the mission was disrupted when supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly organized a parallel meeting in the same vicinity.
This tactical overlap triggered a tense standoff between the two political factions, leaving many in the community on edge.
Manso Adubia Visit:
Addressing the crowd at Manso Adubia, Annoh-Dompreh expressed concern that the democratic right to engage constituents was being met with intimidation.
“We are here on a legitimate mission to hear the grievances of our farmers, yet we are being met with threats to our lives. This is not how we build a democracy,” he stated.
Traditional Authorities Weigh In:
The Chief of Bonkrom, Nana Kwadwo Nsiah I, did not mince words in his condemnation of the disruption.
He criticized the attempt to sabotage the official visit, questioning the motives behind what he described as a “plot of ill-will” against the parliamentary caucus.
The Chief emphasized that the welfare of cocoa farmers should transcend partisan bickering, urging all political actors to maintain decorum and respect the sanctity of the community.
Background Cocoa Crisis:
This development underscores the escalating political temperature in Ghana’s cocoa belt.
Farmers across the Ashanti Region have been vocal about their frustrations regarding recent producer price adjustments, which many claim do not reflect the rising cost of production and the current economic pressures.
Despite the alleged threats and the friction at Bonkrom, the Majority Chief Whip maintained a defiant stance.
He reassured the farming community that the caucus would not be intimidated into silence and vowed to continue the tour until the farmers’ concerns are adequately documented and addressed at the national level.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
