Cocoa Farmers Declare No Vote For Prez Mahama

Some cocoa farmers in the country have expressed disappointment in government over what they describe as a miserable increase in producer price of cocoa and have threatened to vote against President Mahama if nothing is done about it.

This comes after the Deputy Minister of Finance, Ato Forson Cassiel, announced a 11.76 percentage increase in the producer price for the 2016/2017 farming season, at the Cocoa Day celebration in Tepa on Saturday.

But Organiser for Boafo Cocoa Farmers Association in Jejeti and Akim Sekyere, Oti Okyere, said they expected an increase from the current GH¢425.00 per 64kg bag to an amount of at least GH¢500.00.

He said though the price has been increased, the new price still means their cost will outweigh their income.

They have therefore threatened to vote against the government if he refuses to listen to their plea.

Some farmers in Bodi in the Western Region who also shared same sentiments stressed that, government does not have positive plans for farmers hence they will advise themselves.

Meanwhile, Public Affairs Director of the Ghana COCOBOD, Noah Kwesi Amenya, has rubbished demands from the farmers adding that the increment is appealing enough.

He added that, they should rather be content with what have been added to the price to uplift their productivity since nothing will be done to the price.