The Western North region branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked the government to as a matter of urgency pay local buying companies and cocoa farmers for the purchase of cocoa.
A statement issued by Sam Jerome, the regional Communication Officer said, it is disheartening and disturbing to know that the Akuffo-Addo administration has since last year refused to release funds for the LBCs in the purchase of cocoa. This indeed has negatively impacted on the living condition of the good people of the Western North Region.
It read, “The Western North Region is one of the newly-created regions which has estimated population of about 950,000 people. The region is noted to be one of the leading regions in Ghana producing cocoa in large volumes. In fact, it produces one third of the total cocoa production in the country
“Based on the afore fact, the region has most of its working population being cocoa farmers. This means that, a chunk of the population is highly dependent on cocoa proceeds. It is however disheartening and disturbing to know that the government of Nana Addo and Bawumia has since last year refused to release funds for the LBCs in the purchase of cocoa. This indeed has negatively impacted on the living condition of the good people.”
Sam Jerome continued in the statement, “It is worthy to note that, since 1970 where cocoa beans were left to rot and not purchased, the days of Nana Addo has added to those dark days in the area of cocoa production. It is trite knowledge that $1.3bn syndicated loan was procured for the purchase of cocoa beans for 2020/21 crop season so why this development?”
“Is it the case that the government has squandered the cash on elections as purported to be? If not, the government must make those funds available We are by this release calling on the government to help curb the already rising armed robbery cases in Ghana by making funds available to the local buying companies and cocoa farmers. This will in no doubt help curtail a possible surge in armed robbery cases in the region”
Source: myghanadaily
