NPP’s Social Intervention Programmes Are Unmatched -Osahen

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has intensified its nationwide cocoa farmers’ engagement campaign, with a strong defence of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) social intervention record dominating discussions, during a tour of the Central Region.

Addressing cocoa farmers and traditional authorities at Obengkrom, in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese Constituency, the Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, popularly known as “Osahen”, declared that the NPP’s social intervention programmes remain unmatched in Ghana’s political history.

According to him, successive NPP administrations had consistently rolled out policies aimed at improving the welfare of ordinary Ghanaians, including cocoa farmers, unlike what he described as the current hardship confronting farming communities.

The engagement formed part of the Minority’s nationwide outreach to cocoa-growing areas, following concerns over cocoa producer prices, delayed payments and mounting frustrations among farmers.

The Minority delegation, made up of several MPs, met angry farmers and local leaders who openly criticised the handling of the cocoa sector and complained about worsening economic conditions.

Over recent months, the Minority has visited cocoa-growing regions including Eastern, Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono and Bono East Regions where farmers, purchasing clerks, traders and chiefs have consistently complained about declining incomes, rising production costs and lack of ready market for cocoa beans.

At Obengkrom, emotions ran high as some cocoa farmers demanded immediate payment of monies they claimed were owed them.

Others appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the government of failing to fulfil promises allegedly made to cocoa farmers ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Several farmers argued that reductions in cocoa prices had worsened living conditions in farming communities, making it increasingly difficult to maintain farms and support their families.

One emotional moment occurred when a woman farmer reportedly disclosed that she had relied on promises associated with the President’s campaign to secure loans in anticipation of better cocoa prices and improved conditions.

Her remarks triggered reactions from the gathering and underscored growing dissatisfaction among sections of the farming community.

Traditional authorities also joined the criticism.

The Chief of Obengkrom reportedly expressed disappointment with the handling of the cocoa sector and accused political leaders of failing to honour commitments made to cocoa farmers.

Addressing the gathering, John Ntim Fordjour criticised the government’s management of the cocoa sector and argued that cocoa farmers deserved urgent policy interventions instead of political rhetoric.

He shared practical experiences from cocoa farming and maintained that the current challenges facing the sector required immediate attention.

Also speaking at the event, Isaac Yaw Opoku warned against any further reduction in cocoa producer prices.

The Offinso South MP declared that he would stage a naked protest if producer prices were cut again, a statement that drew loud reactions from the farmers gathered at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, assured cocoa farmers that the Minority Caucus would continue to champion their concerns both in Parliament and across cocoa-growing communities until meaningful interventions were introduced.

The latest engagement further highlights the growing political contest over Ghana’s cocoa sector, with the Minority positioning itself as the voice of aggrieved cocoa farmers amid increasing debate over producer prices and sector reforms.

 

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