The national president of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA), Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Agric Ministry to involve cocoa farmers in the economic plan policy.
According to Mr. Anane, during the presentation of this year’s budget, the Finance Minister, Hon. Ato Baah Cassiel Forson, indicated that the cocoa sector owes 32 billion Ghana cedis, equivalent to 1.3 billion US dollars.
This means that the cocoa sector will bear the burden of paying off the debt.
However, Mr. Anane noted that the government has sidelined the cocoa sector’s board when it comes to economic planning policy.
“Market women will not pay the debt for us, so the government must include us in every decision and policy regarding the cocoa sector,” he asserted.
Mr. Anane also emphasized that cocoa farmers will not benefit from this year’s budget due to the debt owed by the cocoa sector.
He added that it will take the entire income from this year’s cocoa seeds to pay off the debt.
“I don’t think the whole of this year’s cocoa seeds income can pay off the 32 billion Ghana cedis debt, so it will be essential for the government to involve us in all decisions regarding the cocoa sector.”
