In the lead-up to the Eid-ul-Adha celebration, Abubakari Yakubu, also known as Baba Amando, the Sunyani East Communication Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has launched a scathing critique against President John Dramani Mahama, accusing his government of imposing crippling taxes on cocoa farmers while failing to increase cocoa prices.
Yakubu claims that cocoa farmers are struggling to survive under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration due to the imposition of additional financial burdens.
He specifically cited a 24.75% tax on electricity, a levy on water, and a 4.50 Cedi per gallon fuel levy, all allegedly implemented despite the government’s failure to increase the price of cocoa.
He further argued that these actions are a blatant betrayal of promises made by the NDC while in opposition.
“The NDC administration promised cocoa farmers that the price of cocoa would be increased to at least Ghc6000 per bag,” Yakubu stated. “But the administration has failed to deliver on this promise, instead opting to impose levies and utility increases.”
Yakubu urged a comparison between the current situation and the NPP’s track record.
He claimed that in 2017, the NPP government inherited a cocoa price of 470 Cedis per bag, which they subsequently increased to 3100 Cedis before leaving office.
Amando highlighted this as a “more than 600% increase,” surpassing any previous cocoa price increase since Ghana’s independence.
He also emphasized the NPP government’s additional interventions within the cocoa sector, including the rehabilitation of approximately 50,000 hectares of cocoa farms, extension of pollination and pruning operations, the continuation of the Kuffour-era mass cocoa spraying exercise, fertilizer subsidies, and financial assistance aimed at sustaining farmers’ livelihoods.
Yakubu contrasted the NPP’s alleged successes with the NDC’s criticisms while in opposition.
He recalled the NDC’s claims that “cocoa farmers are dying” and their promises to raise cocoa prices to 60 million Cedis (old currency) upon assuming power.
He questioned whether Mahama had fulfilled this promise.
He went on to accuse the Mahama-led NDC government of resorting to excuses and imposing the aforementioned levies on farmers and their families without remorse, thus exacerbating their challenges.
Concluding his statement, Yakubu underscored the significance of the upcoming elections, stating that “votes have repercussions and we must be guided going into the next elections.”
- His remarks highlight the increasing political tension surrounding the cocoa sector and its impact on the livelihoods of Ghanaian farmers.
