“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀” – 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲

The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western North Region, Armstrong Richard, has strongly criticized the government’s newly announced cocoa price of GHS 3,228 per bag, describing it as a betrayal and insult to hardworking cocoa farmers.

According to Mr. Armstrong, the GHS 128 increment from the previous price of GHS 3,100 is insignificant and fails to meet the expectations of cocoa farmers, especially those in the Western North Region, a major cocoa-producing area.

“One of the most disappointing announcements in recent times is this cocoa price increment. It is the saddest thing to happen to the people of Western North. The government has not treated farmers fairly,” he told Sefwinews in exclusive interview.

He accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of breaking its campaign promise to raise the cocoa price to GHS 6,000 per bag, a pledge that, he said, created false hope among farmers in the run-up to the 2024 general elections.

Mr. Armstrong emphasized the need for honest politics, stating that Ghanaians deserve truth and transparency from their leaders.

“The NDC lied to Ghanaians about the cocoa price to win power, only to betray farmers after assuming office. Politics must be rooted in honesty,” he stressed.

He praised the previous NPP administration under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for significantly improving cocoa pricing, raising it from GHS 475 in 2017 to GHS 3,100 in 2023, which he described as an unprecedented achievement in Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Ricahrd Armstrong also rejected explanations that the current pricing is based on global market trends or the strength of the cedi.

He argued that rising transport fares, food prices, and the worsening cost of living prove otherwise.

“This excuse about the cedi is not convincing. The economy is in decline, prices are rising, and yet the cocoa farmer is expected to settle for this? It is unfair,” he said.

He concluded by urging cocoa farmers not to remain silent and to hold the government accountable for what he called “a disgraceful decision that disrespects the very people who feed the nation.”

“Cocoa farmers are the backbone of our economy; they deserve dignity, not deception. If things continue this way, four years under the NDC will only bring more hardship,” Mr. Armstrong cautioned.