Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has criticised the recent cocoa price reduction, questioning whether the decision would have been taken if Ghana were heading into an election year.

Speaking during the Minority caucus’s tour of the Bono Region on April 7, he suggested the move may be politically motivated and disadvantageous to farmers.

“Would John Dramani Mahama have reduced cocoa prices if this year was an election year?” he asked, arguing that farmers could be treated differently depending on the political cycle.

Mr Annoh-Dompreh further alleged that cocoa pricing decisions may be influenced by electoral considerations, claiming that increases could be introduced closer to elections to win favour with farmers.

“This is about fairness and respect for the backbone of our economy. Cocoa farmers should not be subjected to arbitrary pricing that is driven by political calculations,” he said.

The Minority’s visit to the Bono Region formed part of efforts to engage farmers directly and assess the impact of the price adjustment on their livelihoods.

He called on government to adopt more transparent and consistent cocoa pricing policies, insisting that farmers must be protected from what he described as politically influenced economic decisions.