NYINAHIN DISTRICT COCOA FARMERS PROTEST AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OVER 3 MONTHS OF UNPAID INCOME

NYINAHIN DISTRICT COCOA FARMERS PROTEST AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OVER 3 MONTHS OF UNPAID INCOME

The Ghana Cocoa and Sheanuts Farmers Association, Atwima Mponua District, Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region, has today petitioned the government through the District Chief Executive of Atwima Mponua District to release their three-month cash payment for the cocoa purchase.

According to the group cocoa farmers have no other means of livelihood except cocoa money, due to the delay and the government’s inability to pay their three months individuals are starving to death.

Speaking to the media, Nana Frimpong Manso, Nyinahin Chief Farmer reveal that about 80 percent of cocoa farmers are old men and women from 55 to 98 years of age; meanwhile, some of the aged farmers are sick but cannot get medication.

He indicated that due to the delay in unpaid salary, many of the farmers’ wards still remain at home, unable to attend school due to the unpaid cash.Adding that, deaths have increased among members of 18,675 due to the miserable and distressing situation.

Concerning the cocoa price reduction, the group emphasized that the government must reduce its own increase and pay the old price it inherited which was GHS 3,100.00. Any further reduction is unacceptable.

On his part, the Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua, Seth Osei Akoto backs the petition and the protest by the Cocoa Farmers stressing government respond to their plea with immediate effect since cocoa plays a vital role in the country’s development.

The MP said that due to recent happenings in the cocoa Industry, cocoa farmers have every mandate to express their concern to the government without any fear or panic. Many families’ livelihoods depend on their cocoa crops therefore anything meant to jeopardize their business must not be tolerated.

Story by Anita Frimpong