Akroforo (Bono), April 12, – A cocoa Purchasing Clerk (PC), Elder George Owusu, has raised alarm over alleged threats to his life from some cocoa farmers in the Berekum Municipality, following delays in payment for cocoa beans supplied under his watch.
Elder Owusu, who works with Olam Company Limited, said the situation had created fear and uncertainty in his operations, as farmers continue to demand payment despite what he described as a lack of funds from the company since the beginning of 2026.
He made the complaint when the Minority Caucus in Parliament engaged cocoa farmers at Akroforo as part of a fact-finding interaction on challenges facing the sector.
According to him, although he had repeatedly explained the payment delays to farmers, some aggrieved suppliers had persisted in issuing threats, making it difficult for him to operate safely.
“I am constantly being threatened, and it has become unbearable. I have informed them that payments have not been received, but they are not willing to understand,” he said.
Some farmers at the meeting also shared distressing accounts of financial hardship, blaming the situation on prolonged delays in receiving proceeds from their cocoa sales.
A physically challenged farmer, Mr Stevis Kwame Owusu, said he was struggling to meet basic needs such as medication, school fees, and rent, relying solely on his cocoa farm for survival.
Another farmer, Madam Mary Tima, expressed concern that harvested cocoa beans had been left unpurchased for weeks, with parts of the stock beginning to deteriorate.
“The beans are going bad, and we have no money to take care of our families. The situation is becoming unbearable,” she lamented.
Leading the engagement, Mr Ayeh Asafo-Adjei, Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, said the Caucus was in the area to assess conditions of farmers and escalate their concerns in Parliament.
He criticised delays in payments and questioned government commitment to addressing challenges in the cocoa sector, arguing that farmers were bearing the brunt of policy and financial constraints.
Mr Asafo-Adjei claimed that cocoa producers were owed about GH₵101,000, describing the situation as unacceptable and urging urgent intervention to stabilise the sector.
Other members of the Caucus, including Mr Kwabena Boateng, MP for Ejisu, expressed concern that the financial pressures on farmers were pushing some into leasing their lands for illegal mining activities.
He urged government to prioritise cocoa sector stability, warning that continued neglect could undermine production and rural livelihoods.
The MPs assured farmers that their concerns would be raised at the appropriate levels, while calling for calm as engagements continued.
GHBUSS
12 April 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment