NDC will re-introduce 70% payment of world price of cocoa to farmers

Asankrangwa(WR), May 18, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Flag bearer of National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that an NDC Government would re-introduce the payment of 70 per cent of the world price of cocoa to farmers before it left office in 2000.

He explained that the NDC had a policy where farmers were paid 70 per cent of the world price of the commodity while government retained the 30 per cent.

Professor Mills was addressing farmers at Asankrangwa to round up the first phase of his five-day tour of the Western Region. The tour was in the Northern part of the Region which took him to Bibiani,Sefwi Anhwiaso, Sefwi Awasu, Sefwi Bekwai, Sefwi Anwhiaso, Sefwi Awasu, Sefwi Bekwai, Sefwi Wiasu, Sefwi Buako, Sefwi Asawinso, Sefwi Debiso, and Sefwi Essem.

The rest were, Juabeso, Bodi, Nsawura, Akontonbra, Kalo, Dadieso, Enchi and Asankragwa where he interacted with traditional and religious leaders, farmers, traders, butchers, drivers, teachers, students, nurses and the youth.

Prof. Mills said reports reaching him indicated that the living standards of farmers were better under the NDC than the NPP Government because during NDC government revenue from cocoa could purchase 13 bags of cement and a packet of roofing sheets.

Now the farmers are being paid GHC 75 per 64 kilogramme of a bag of cocoa and could only buy six bags of cement. Prof. Mills denounced the polarisation of the country and reiterated that when elected, he would not be the President of NDC alone but leader of the entire nation. He said "I would provide the will for Ghanaians to chart a better path to prosperity". Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, General Secretary of NDC said in Ghana kingmakers always looked for the best candidate and that symbolised that the chief would be honest, transparent and earn respect from the people. He said Ghanaians should vote for a presidential candidate who had such qualities that were inherent in Prof. Mills. Ms Ama Benyiwa-Doe, National Women's Organiser said during the 2000 campaign NPP asked the people to consider their welfare and conditions and to vote accordingly and it was now a reality that the people should now consider their current plight and take decisions for themselves in Election 2008.