The recent announcement by Finance Minister Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson that the price of cocoa producers would drop from GHc 3,625 to GHc 2,587 per bag has sparked discussion among members of Parliament from both houses.
Minority Caucus members argued that the government should rescind the recent price drop, while Majority Caucus members defended the government’s reasoning.
The minority leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, made a statement urging the government to immediately reverse the cocoa producer price. He called the government’s decision unfair to cocoa farmers and demanded that the producer price be returned to its initial value of GHC 3,625 per 64-kg bag of cocoa.
He also insisted that COCOBOD reimburse the farmers and LBCs for any losses they could have suffered as a result of the drop in the price of cocoa producers.
However, the majority leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, said that the Cabinet has put forth a number of changes to ensure that farmers receive fair pricing in order to secure the cocoa industry’s long-term survival and financial viability.
He argues that in order to discuss changes in the cocoa industry and make important choices in light of the systemic and historical issues facing the industry, the Cabinet called an emergency session.
He promised that the changes will change the industry and safeguard the interests of cocoa growers.
Source: newsthemegh.com