By. King Amoah
A prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (Npp) in Kumasi Mr Mark Obeng has criticized the current administration about how it is handling the cocoa farmers apparently about the payment delays and price reductions in the cocoa sector at the time government claims about economic progress.
Mr. Mark Obeng an Npp stalwart and the Polling Station Agents Chairman of the Atwima Nwabiagya North Constituency expressed his concern to draw a stark contrast with the previous Npp government’s approach during difficult times.
Obeng who also heads the Kumasi Kajetia PZ Petty Traders Association of the Npp registered his dismay at what he described as the punishment being meted out t9 the cocoa farmers by the government under President John Dramani Mahama.
He highlighted reports of farmers not receiving payments for cocoa beans purchased by the government for the past three months coupled with a perceived decrease in current cocoa prices.
This current alleged punishment that the government has been showing to the farmers can be seen as a deliberate attempt, Mr. Obeng told the correspondent in an interview.
He stressed that this approach is particularly perplexing given the government’s consistent assertion that the economy is on an upward trajectory due to the appreciation of the dollar against the cedi.
The Npp stalwart further questioned the apparent shift in policy regarding cocoa pricing.
Chairman Obeng also noted that President John Dramani Mahama as part of fulfilling his election promises to farmers saw the need to increase the price of cocoa
He asked why the government is now smart to reduce cocoa prices and moreover failing to pay for the cocoa that government has for the past three to four months ago bought from the cocoa producers across the country.
This according to Mr. Obeng, raises serious questions about the sincerity of the President’s economic pronouncements.
Is President John Dramani Mahama now telling us that the economy on course assertion he boasts about is a lip service or propaganda admission, Obeng queried.
Recalling the leadership of the former President Nana Akuffo Addo, Mr. Obeng lauded the Npp administration’s resilience and commitment to the welfare of Ghanaians even in the face of economic difficulties.
He cited the disruption of the economy that caused by the COVID 19 pandemic in the Akuffo Addo’s administration.
Chairman Obeng pointed out that during that period despite the COVID-19 challenges that made the country ungovernable the Akuffo Addo government ensured that teachers who stayed home for almost a year were fully paid.
Additionally provision of free electricity, water supply and free public meal services were enforced as the government gestures of support during that unprecedented crisis era.
Besides such gestures from the then Npp administration heavy increases for cocoa prices were given to farmers to sustain their survival, Obeng added.
He contrasted this with the current situation stating that nearly a year into President Mahama’s administration Ghanaians are finding life unbeatable while his supporters continue to praise him.
Mr. Obeng believes that the current difficulties in the cocoa sector have exposed government incompetence.
He urged the President and his cabinet to urgently find solutions to the cocoa sector cautioning that if these issues are not addressed farmers may be driven to sell their cocoa farms to the illegal miners and abandon their livelihoods.
Mr. Obeng who has declared his intention to contest for the position of Constituency Organizer on the Npp ticket in the Atwima Nwabiagya North Constituency concluded by emphasizing the urgent need for decisive action to protect the interests of Ghana’s cocoa farming community.
