Economist and lecturer at Pentecost University, Dr. Paul Appiah Konadu, has expressed disappointment in the government for failing to meet the expectations of cocoa farmers, despite increase in the producer price of cocoa.
His comments come in the wake of the government’s recent announcement of a new cocoa producer price of $5,040 per tonne.
In an interview with Univers Business, Dr. Appiah Konadu said although the government had fulfilled its pledge to peg the domestic cocoa price at 70% of the international market price, many farmers had expected more, especially based on promises made while the government was in opposition.
“The new government actually has fulfilled its promise to increase the domestic price of cocoa to 70% of the international market price per tonne. But from indications, cocoa farmers are disappointed and Ghanaians in general are disappointed because the Minister of Agriculture at a point told farmers that the government could pay up to 6,000 Ghana cedis per pack,” he said.
”So if you are paying 3,200, the difference is very significant. That is about 2,800 Ghana cedis that the farmers expected. So, I’m pretty disappointed.”
Dr. Appiah Konadu also raised concerns about the increasing number of cocoa farmers giving up their lands to illegal miners due to low earnings from cocoa farming.
“Some farmers are giving up their land for mining activities. I think if we want to discourage farmers from doing such activities, then we have to try to also increase the price to incentivise farmers to fight the consequences.”
He urged the government to adopt long-term strategies aimed at improving farmers’ incomes to sustain the cocoa industry and discourage the shift to illegal mining.
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Story by Kwadwo Owusu- Anane|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Michelle Lartey
