‘Don’t Blame Weather for Ivory Coast Cocoa Imports’ - NPP

The Minority Spokesperson for Agriculture in Ghana’s Parliament Dr. Afriyie Akoto has revealed that it is absurd for people to blame the downward trend in the Cocoa sector to the weather.

He indicates that a similar situation pertains in neighbouring Ivory Coast but the country which used to trail Ghana in the production of the cash crop is currently doing exceedingly better than its West African neighbour.

His comments are in response to the Finance Minister Seth Tekper’s disclosure to Parliament that about 15,500 tons of light crop cocoa beans were imported from La Cote D’Ivoire in the 2014/2015 crop year due to shortfall.

Speaking on the Ultimate Breakfast Show hosted by Prince Minkah, Dr. Afriyie Akoto who is also the MP for Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, blamed the situation on failed structures within the system which has resulted in the current state of affairs.

“A downturn trend in the Cocoa sector is now being reflected. We knew they were planning to import because most of the processing companies are multinational and need to keep their factories running”, he disclosed.

He described the situation as very embarrassing equating it to a place like Saudi Arabia which is noted for producing oil in large quantities importing oil.

“Cocoa is the biggest boost to Ghana’s GDP because the country survives on that. Mismanagement and corruption resulting from the diversion of Chemicals and Fertilizers to other African countries which has been confirmed by President Mahama himself is the cause of the current problems”, he added.

Dr. Afriyie Akoto counseled government against engaging in propaganda with the cocoa sector suggesting that they should ay cocoa farmers well to reverse the negative trend.