Cocoa farmers in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District have appealed to the Minority in Parliament to intervene on their behalf, saying conditions have become extremely difficult following the reduction in the cocoa farmgate price.
According to the farmers, the price cut has created severe financial hardships, making it challenging for them to meet basic household needs and responsibilities.
The concerns were raised during an engagement between the farmers and Minority Members of Parliament at Ajumako Anyinasu on Friday, May 8, 2026.
One farmer lamented that despite the drop in price, he has still not been paid for the cocoa beans he supplied to a purchasing clerk.
“I have two children; one at the university and the other in secondary school, but I’m unable to take care of them. They are still at home. Why should this happen? I sent my cocoa to the depot, but I have not been paid,” he cried out.
Another farmer, Kwesi, said the situation has negatively affected marriages in the community, with some farmers facing divorce because they are unable to provide for their families.
“During the last election, the then opposition leader said cocoa farming would become so lucrative that we could even marry two wives. Contrary to that promise, the ones that we have are divorcing us because we are unable to take care of our homes due to the cocoa issues. They need to do something about this,” he said.
Reacting to the concerns of the farmers, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and Member of Parliament for Offinso South Constituency, Isaac Yaw Opoku, said the Minority solidarised with the farmers, describing the situation as unprecedented in the country’s history.
“Nananom, from President Rawlings to President Kufuor, Professor Mills and President Akufo-Addo, the world market price of cocoa reduced at different times, yet they considered the welfare of farmers and maintained the farmgate price. What we are experiencing today has never happened under any president except President Mahama. Nananom, we cannot sit down and watch; let us come together to speak out,” he admonished.
The Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre South, Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam, on her part, said the matter should not be politicised. She urged all stakeholders to unite and resist any attempt by the government to impoverish cocoa farmers and ordinary Ghanaians.
“This should not be turned into a political issue. Everyone must speak out regardless of their political affiliation. The high cost of living has nothing to do with the NPP or NDC. What we need is to come together and fight for what is rightfully due us as farmers,” she stated.
From Kweku Afriyie, Central Region