WNR
The Deputy Communications Office of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western North Region, Amstrong Richard, has taken a swipe at the government over the recently announced cocoa producer price of GHS 3,228 per bag, describing it as a betrayal of the trust of cocoa farmers across the country.
According to Mr. Amstrong, the GHS 128 increment from the previous price of GHS 3,100 is not only insignificant but also represents what he termed “political dishonesty and insincerity” against the hardworking cocoa farmers, particularly in the Western North Region. He described the announcement as “the most deceitful campaign promise ever in the history of the entire universe,” suggesting it deserved a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
He accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of breaking its campaign promise to increase the cocoa price to GHS 6,000 per bag—a pledge he said created false hope among farmers during the 2024 general elections. “The NDC lied to Ghanaians to win power,” Amstrong stated, emphasizing that politicians must be guided by both their past and present actions.
Mr. Amstrong revealed that cocoa farmers in the Western North Region are planning a massive demonstration to express their displeasure over the marginal increment, describing it as an insult to their labour and expectations.
He also dismissed government explanations that the new pricing was influenced by global market trends and the strength of the cedi, arguing that such justifications are weak and do not reflect the reality on the ground.
“The NDC communicators themselves are struggling to defend this price,” he claimed, adding that if the price had remained unchanged, he would have had no cause to criticize. However, he maintained that the minor increase is both disappointing and politically damaging.
Amstrong further alleged that nine out of ten farmers in cocoa-producing areas voted against the NPP in the last elections due to cocoa pricing issues, and warned that the NDC now risks losing 20 percent of their support in the next general election as a result of this broken promise.
