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Minority Engages Cocoa Farmers in Ahafo Over Price Cuts;Seth Osei Akoto Warns Against Illegal Mining
By:Hon Justice Baffour-managing editor/www.dailywatchgh.com/0246-930931
The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Food and Agriculture Committee, Seth Osei Akoto, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, joined members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament to engage cocoa farmers across key constituencies in the Ahafo Region, following widespread concerns over the recent reduction in cocoa prices.
The outreach exercise covered the Tano North, Asutifi North, and Asutifi South constituencies, where hundreds of cocoa farmers gathered to interact directly with the legislators. The engagement formed part of the Minority’s broader effort to assess the real impact of price fluctuations on cocoa production and rural livelihoods.
During the interactive session, farmers openly expressed their frustrations over declining incomes, rising cost of farm inputs, and the increasing difficulty in maintaining their farms.
Many noted that the reduction in cocoa prices has significantly affected their ability to cater for their families, invest in farm maintenance, and sustain productivity levels.
Some farmers also raised concerns about the growing influence of illegal mining activities, popularly known as “galamsey,” which they said continues to threaten cocoa farmlands and water bodies in the region.
They appealed for urgent government intervention to safeguard their lands and ensure the long-term viability of cocoa farming.
Responding to these concerns, Hon. Osei Akoto, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua, emphasized the need for farmers to resist the temptation of leasing or selling their cocoa farms to illegal miners. He described such decisions as short-term gains with long-term devastating consequences for both the environment and the agricultural sector.
“Cocoa remains a backbone of Ghana’s economy. We must protect it at all costs. Giving out your lands to illegal miners will only destroy your future and that of generations to come,” he cautioned.
He further underscored the importance of preserving farmlands, noting that once degraded by illegal mining, the lands often become unsuitable for cocoa cultivation for many years.
Hon. Osei Akoto assured the farmers that their concerns would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities and used to inform policy discussions in Parliament. He reiterated the Minority Caucus’ commitment to advocating for improved cocoa pricing, better access to farm inputs, and stronger policies to protect farmers.
While acknowledging the current difficulties facing the cocoa sector, he encouraged farmers to remain resilient and hopeful. According to him, there is optimism that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government will introduce pragmatic measures to stabilize cocoa prices, improve farmer welfare, and strengthen the overall value chain.
Other members of the Minority Caucus present at the engagement also echoed similar sentiments, calling for sustained dialogue between policymakers and farmers to ensure that their voices are reflected in national decision-making.
The engagement concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, traditional authorities, and farmer cooperatives, to address the challenges confronting the cocoa sector and secure a more sustainable future for cocoa production in Ghana.
The Minority Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to continuous engagement with grassroots communities as part of efforts to promote inclusive governance and responsive policymaking.
Credit: Opambour/Communication member/NPP Atwima Mponua
