The President of Atwima Mponua District Youth Cocoa Farmers Association in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti region Mr. Ibrahim Bawah, is calling on government to as a matter of urgency empower COCOBOD and other License and Buying Agencies in the country to buy cocoa beans from farmers.
According to him, cocoa farmers in the country, particularly those in Atwima Mponua District, have been left stranded as companies are refusing to buy their cocoa beans while those who do buy their beans have failed to pay them, citing lack of funds.
He added that, for month now, cocoa farmers in the district have been perturbed of the inability of government through COCOBOD to purchase their stock of cocoa beans.
“Ghana’s economy largely depends on farmers especially cocoa farmers but unfortunately, we cocoa farmers are really suffering.
“We are approaching Christmas but we don’t even have money because no company wants to buy our cocoa beans but during the days of the late former President Rawlins, things were not like that.
“I will entreat the leadership of COCOBOD to put things in order because Cocoa beans is the backbone of our economy but if we are not getting after selling our cocoa beans then that is very worrying.” He said
He revealed that, the inability of government through COCOBOD to purchase their cocoa beans have driven many youth who recently joined the cocoa farming business to abandon it.
“A lot of youth venture into cocoa farming but since we are struggling to get money after selling, all the youth have left the cocoa farming business.” He said
Mr. Ibrahim Bawah, disclosed that if the current issue is not solved with the immediate effects, cocoa farmers may be forced to sell their farming lands to illegal minners.
“Most of the farmers complains about what is going on and all we can do is to urge them to exercise patience but what is happening is devastating.
“We are pleading with government to do its best to ensure that cocoa farmers receive payment promptly after harvesting and selling their cocoa beans. If not the farmers would be compelled to sell their farm lands to galamseyers.” He said
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
