Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has praised the government’s accomplishments in the cocoa industry.
He characterized these achievements as unparalleled in the history of the nation. He highlighted that this remarkable record encompasses various aspects, including cocoa production, the provision of incentives for cocoa farmers, and addressing the welfare of those farmers.
While speaking at a community engagement event in Numereso within the Odotobiri Constituency during his constituency-focused campaign tour on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Dr. Opoku Prempeh noted that Ghana achieved its highest cocoa production ever, exceeding 1 million metric tons, during the 2020/2021 crop season under the current administration.
He emphasized that this significant milestone was the result of the government’s dedication to prioritizing investments in the sector. Regarding the welfare of cocoa farmers, the Running Mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia remarked that Ghanaian cocoa farmers are now in a better position than they have ever been in the country’s history, thanks to the initiatives implemented by the NPP government. He underscored this point.
In 2016 when NPP took over, the price of a sack of cocoa stood at GHS 475. Today, following the latest increase, the price of a sack of cocoa has drastically risen to GHS 3,000 [representing over 315% increase].
This is also the second increase in the year [2024] following an earlier increase of the price by 58.26% in the month of April this year. We will continue to support initiatives like the fertilizer application programme, cocoa mass spraying, pollination to further increase cocoa production.
The advantages of the recent increases in the producer price of cocoa, as articulated by Dr. Opoku Prempeh, encompass providing cocoa farmers with enhanced compensation for their cocoa beans, safeguarding them from the fluctuations of cocoa prices in the global market through a guaranteed price, and serving as an incentive for farmers to augment their investments in the industry, which in turn fosters job creation and stimulates economic development.
Affectionately known as NAPO, he took this opportunity to urge the Chiefs and residents of the Odotobiri constituency to place their confidence in the NPP and to cast their votes in large numbers for the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as well as for the parliamentary candidate for the region, Lawyer Anthony Mmieh, to enhance their quality of life.
He concluded his campaign activities for the day with visits to the Bekwai and Fomena constituencies, where he also sought support for the party’s parliamentary candidates, Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei and Lawyer Andrew Asiamah, respectively.
