The General Overseer of the Counsel of God Church at Bronkong-Afrancho, Rev. John Osei Ofori, has expressed deep disappointment in the government over what he describes as neglect and broken promises to cocoa farmers.
In an interview with GhNewsday Online, Rev. Osei Ofori revealed that despite owning about 70 acres of cocoa farm, he has yet to receive payment for his produce.
He noted that he was encouraged to support the current administration during the election campaign after it promised to increase the cocoa price to GH¢7,000, accusing the previous government of cheating farmers.
According to him, that assurance influenced his decision to vote for the government, as he believed the welfare of cocoa farmers would improve under the new leadership.
Rev. Osei Ofori questioned the justification often given by authorities that fluctuations in the dollar or the world cocoa market have affected pricing.
He argued that if government officials cite reductions in global prices or exchange rates as reasons for adjusting cocoa prices downward, then they should also consider reducing their own monthly salaries.
He maintained that even if the international cocoa market experiences a downturn, it should not automatically translate into a reduction in the price paid to local farmers. Instead, he said, the government should maintain stable prices to protect farmers from hardship.
The clergyman warned that the continued neglect of cocoa farmers could have serious consequences for the country’s economy.
He stressed that cocoa remains a major contributor to Ghana’s revenue and cautioned that if farmers abandon their farms, it would significantly affect national development.
He further disclosed that many cocoa farmers have already stopped farming due to frustration over how politicians treat them. Some, he claimed, have moved into illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in search of better income.
Rev. Osei Ofori called on the government to urgently address the concerns of cocoa farmers and fulfill its campaign promises to prevent further decline in the sector.
