The Vice President and presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged to raise the producer price of cocoa for the 2024/25 cocoa season.
This commitment comes in light of the current global market price for cocoa and the recent farm gate price in the Ivory Coast, which is 20 percent higher than that of Ghana.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized that this increase would provide relief to cocoa farmers and help mitigate the risk of cocoa smuggling into the Ivory Coast. He made this promise during his visit to the Okogyeabour palace in Sefwi Wiawso, on the second day of his three-day tour of the Western North Region.
Throughout his visits to the nine constituencies, the NPP presidential candidate was greeted with enthusiasm and support from the local populace.
The Vice President urged constituents not to support former President Mahama, whom he referred to as a second-hand leader, but instead to maintain the NPP government to ensure the continuation of its beneficial policies and development initiatives nationwide. He cautioned that voting for an alternative candidate could jeopardize the ongoing development and strategic policies currently in place.
During separate gatherings in Aowin, Juaboso, Bodi, Akontombra, Sefwi Wiawso, Bia West, Bia East, and Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai constituencies, Dr. Bawumia reiterated that the government has delivered commendably and thus merits another term in office.
He highlighted several commitments that have been fulfilled, including the implementation of the Free SHS policy, the initiative of One Constituency, One Ambulance, the reinstatement of allowances for teacher and nursing trainees, the establishment of six new regions, the introduction of the Ghana Card, the Agenda 111 hospitals project, Cocoa Pollination efforts, the construction of artificial sports pitches, and the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).
The presidential candidate asserted that the forthcoming NPP administration, under his guidance, would initiate a Credit Score System, provide Loans for Women Empowerment, and offer Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Additionally, he proposed a 50 percent reduction in electricity bills and the addition of 2,000 megawatts of solar energy to enhance the current power infrastructure.