Cocoa farmers thrive more under NDC than current NPP government – Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has aimed at the current government, claiming that cocoa farmers were better off under his administration.

He argued that the NPP’s handling of the cocoa sector has led to hardships for farmers, contrasting it with the support and favourable conditions provided during the NDC’s tenure.

Speaking at a mini rally at Hemang Lower Denkyira as part of his camp tour of the Central Region, John Mahama emphasized that policies implemented under his administration ensured better livelihoods and stability for those in the cocoa industry.

“When the NDC was in power, cocoa farmers were happy because each year we would increase their payments. We saw how cocoa was sold overseas and compared the value of the dollar to the cedi, then added some extra money for the farmers. When farmers sold their cocoa, they received their bonuses immediately.

“We also provided free fertilizers and medicines. However, now the cocoa industry has declined significantly. There’s a company known as the Produce Buying Company (PBC)," the former President stated.

He continued: “When I was president in 2016, during my last term in office, PBC alone purchased 30% of Ghana’s cocoa. This means they bought one-third of the country’s cocoa. Today, as I speak to you, PBC has gone 10 months without paying its debts, and the cocoa business has fallen even further.”