The Alliance for Cocoa Farmers and Development (ACFD) has called on the government to urgently release outstanding payments owed to cocoa farmers across the country, following months of delays in receiving payments for cocoa beans sold to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
In a press statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Addae Kwasi Emmanuel, the ACFD said the delayed payments have created significant hardship for farmers who rely heavily on cocoa income for their livelihoods.
The association, therefore, appealed to COCOBOD and the government to take immediate steps to address the situation.
The ACFD also dissociated itself from attempts by some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to speak on behalf of cocoa farmers, stating that it had not mandated or requested any political group or individuals to represent its interests.
According to the statement, cocoa farmers experienced numerous challenges under the previous administration, including what it described as indiscriminate cutting of cocoa trees during rehabilitation efforts without adequate compensation, the sale of fertilizers that were previously supplied for free, and the mismanagement of loans contracted from China and other sources.
The statement further alleged that COCOBOD under the NPP left a debt of GH¢32.9 billion and failed to supply 333,768 tonnes of cocoa despite receiving funds.
It also cited difficulties with transporting cocoa beans from farms and claimed that GH¢26 million allocated for cocoa roads was not used to fulfill related obligations.
The ACFD urged the government to prioritize resolving the concerns of cocoa farmers to ensure the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector.
It also called for the prosecution of individuals deemed responsible for the challenges confronting the industry.
