NPP Minority allegedly rejects chocolate gifts over cocoa price cuts

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has allegedly rejected chocolates supplied by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Dzifa Gomashie, to mark National Chocolate Week, in protest against government’s reduction of the producer price of cocoa.  

The Minority contended that the recent ‘haircut’ of the producer price of cocoa from GH¢3,625 per 64-kilogramme bag to GH¢2,587 has worsened the plight of cocoa farmers.  

Contributing to a statement delivered by Mrs Gomashie on the floor of Parliament to commemorate Chocolate Week, which coincided with Valentine’s Day on February 14, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, NPP Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, said the gesture of distributing chocolates to members of Parliament was misplaced when farmers were aggrieved over reduced earnings.   

Jerry Ahmed Shaib, NPP Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, also alleged that some cocoa farmers had resorted to cutting down their cocoa trees in protest against the slashed producer prices.   

Meanwhile, Mr Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, chastised the Minority Caucus for “inciting” cocoa farmers. 

He argued that chocolate consumption remained vital to sustaining the cocoa industry, quipping that if everyone stopped eating chocolate, “who would fund the farmers?”   

In a lighter moment, Mr Ayariga teased that Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh had secretly pocketed some of the chocolates, calling on Parliament security to search his pockets, a remark that drew spontaneous laughter in the chamber. 

The issue of the reduction of producer price of cocoa has sparked a nationwide public debate with some Ghanaians endorsing government’s move to reform the cocoa sector, while others criticised government for failing to honour its promise to pay the required amount for the commodity. 

Source: GNA