The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagbah, has strongly criticised the government over its decision to reduce the producer price of cocoa, describing it as unfair and unjustified.
Speaking on The KeyPoints with Alfred Ocansey on February 21, Ahiagbah argued that the decision to cut the price paid to cocoa farmers cannot be blamed on historical debts at the Ghana Cocoa Board.
According to him, the justification being offered does not add up.
“This thing is not the point. It is not today about the debt,” he said.
Ahiagbah questioned why COCOBOD’s debt is suddenly being cited as a reason to reduce the producer price when similar financial conditions existed at the time of previous price increases.
He noted that when the NDC government took office, it inherited a cocoa producer price of GH¢3,100, which was later increased to GH¢3,228 and subsequently to GH¢3,625.
“They inherited 3,100. They increased it to 3,228 and change and then increased it again to 3,625. Did you hear any problem at that time to say that the debt of COCOBOD is the reason they can’t increase it?” he asked.
“If those debts they are talking about now existed before they did the increase, what has changed? Why are you suddenly setting those conditions as reasons to bring it down?”
Ahiagbah insisted that if nothing has fundamentally changed in the sector, the price should be maintained at GH¢3,625.
“The season has not ended,” he stressed. “You are bringing down the price midstream. All the cocoa they are going to buy henceforth, they are paying less. That is the problem.”
For him, the current narrative that COCOBOD’s debt makes it impossible to maintain the price is inconsistent with past decisions.
Ahiagbah also addressed criticism surrounding cocoa roads and related infrastructure investments. He rejected suggestions that spending on roads in cocoa-growing areas was misplaced.
“What is COCOBOD supposed to do? Is it not to enhance infrastructure and access in cocoa-growing areas?” he asked.
“If you have been to any cocoa-growing area, the roads are bad. If COCOBOD is investing to improve road conditions, I don’t see anything wrong with it. You can argue about cost, but not the principle.”
He described the cut as a deliberate decision to disadvantage cocoa farmers.
“A government chose to cut the price paid to cocoa producers. That is a clear shortchange of the cocoa farmer. No explanation will wash,” he said.
He challenged the government to explain why it cannot fulfil its promise to pay GH¢6,500, instead of referencing past debts.
“They made those promises knowing the market is unstable, knowing they don’t control the market. Why is it that they can’t pay the 6,500 they promised?”
He warned that the path being set could lead to further reductions if global prices fall.
“If the price where it is now falls further, is it a suggestion that the government of Ghana will continue to reduce the producer price? That’s the path you are setting us on.”
“You can quote IMF, you can quote anything. The fact remains that you have shortchanged the farmer. That is the matter.”
