Cocoa farmers in the Western Region have rejected government assertions that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) owes debts to farmers, saying they will not believe the claims until officials provide evidence or hold those responsible accountable.
The farmers spoke during a visit by Peter Boamah Otokunor, director of presidential agriculture and agribusiness initiatives in the Office of the President, who was in Woman No Good, a village in Amenfi West (Western Region), to explain reductions to the producer price of cocoa.
Allegations
Dr Otokunor had alleged that the debt burden of COCOBOD) under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government exceeded the institution’s total assets.
“COCOBOD’s debt was greater than all its assets, so how do you expect the government to solve all its problems at once?” he asked, speaking on the Accra-based Asempa FM.
He further raised questions about the procurement of cocoa sacks, explaining that sacks imported in 2021 were stored in a warehouse, while additional consignments ordered in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were left uncleared at the port.
According to Otokunor, just four days before the 2024 general election, letters of credit worth $48 million were issued to import yet another batch of sacks.
Not convinced
But the farmers appeared unconvinced when the government appointee Otokunor, a former deputy general secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), sought to rehash these assertions.
“I am standing on behalf of all the cocoa farmers here to tell you that the previous government, which was handling COCOBOD, did not leave any debt behind,” said the chief of Woman No Good.
“Until you prove it to us by arresting those responsible, we will not believe you.”
Otokunor met local farmers to clarify government policy on cocoa and the reasons for the 12 February reduction in the producer price, one in a range of efforts to manage COCOBOD finances and support Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The visit came amid concern from farmers over pricing, payment transparency and the sustainability of the cocoa sector in Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa.
Government officials have urged farmers to trust in institutional reform and emphasised that they will be taking measures to ensure timely payment and fair pricing for cocoa growers.
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