Cocoa Has Been Politicised, Farmers Neglected — Cocoa Farmers Association President
President of the Cocoa Farmers Association, Mr. Anane Boateng, has accused successive governments of politicising Ghana’s cocoa sector and neglecting the welfare of cocoa farmers.
In an interaction with Kofi Boakye on Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso programme, Mr. Boateng said many cocoa farmers are still owed payments for produce sold in previous seasons, a situation he described as worrying and unacceptable.
According to him, delays in payment by licensed buying companies have created serious financial hardship for farmers.
“This same thing happened under the previous government, and up to now some cocoa farmers have still not received their money. When buying agencies purchase cocoa, they pay the money in small instalments, which makes things very difficult for farmers,” he said.
Mr. Boateng accused government of failing to provide the necessary support expected by cocoa farmers, arguing that the sector has been reduced to a political tool rather than being managed in the interest of producers.
“The things the government is supposed to do to help cocoa farmers are not being done. It appears the government does not care about us at all. Cocoa has been politicised,” he stated.
He further questioned the credibility of individuals representing cocoa farmers at the policy level, particularly on the COCOBOD board.
According to him, some representatives do not genuinely reflect the interests of cocoa farmers and lack direct involvement in cocoa farming.
“Those who claim to represent cocoa farmers in government do not really represent us. They represent political interests. Some of them do not even have cocoa farms,” he said.
Mr. Boateng expressed concern that the current representative of cocoa farmers on the COCOBOD board is not a cocoa farmer.
“Right now, the person representing cocoa farmers on the COCOBOD board is a shea butter farmer. When cocoa farmers are facing serious challenges, what meaningful contribution can such a person make on our behalf?” he questioned.
He also alleged that another individual involved in farmer representation does not own a farm, further weakening the voice of cocoa farmers in decision-making.
Mr. Boateng called for genuine farmer representation and an end to political interference in cocoa administration, stressing that the survival of small-scale cocoa farmers depends on policies that prioritise their welfare.
