Kojo Oppong Nkrumah engages cocoa farmers in Ofoase-Ayirebi

Amid the deepening crisis in the cocoa sector, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has taken his engagement beyond Parliament and into the cocoa farms of his constituency, meeting directly with farmers to hear their concerns and document the impact of the ongoing non-payment for cocoa deliveries.

On Monday, the MP visited cocoa farms at Akyekromme and surrounding communities near Ofoase, where he held discussions with groups of cocoa farmers who have been affected by delays in payment for beans sold through the official marketing system.

The engagement formed part of a broader effort by the MP to demonstrate solidarity with farming communities and ensure that their grievances are not ignored or buried in political debate.

During the interaction, farmers told the MP that they have not been paid for cocoa delivered to buying companies, despite earlier government assurances that payments would be made.

According to the farmers, the failure of government to honour its commitments has left them in financial distress, with many unable to meet basic family responsibilities, including healthcare, education, and farm maintenance.

They appealed to Oppong Nkrumah to formally raise the matter in Parliament and press for state intervention to compel the relevant authorities to settle outstanding payments.

The farmers said they feel abandoned by the system and fear that without parliamentary pressure, their plight will continue to be ignored.

The farmers also recalled campaign promises made by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to improve cocoa pricing and farmer welfare.

They expressed disappointment that not only have those promises not been fulfilled, but the state has also failed to buy cocoa consistently and pay for deliveries already made, worsening their economic situation.

In his response, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah assured the farmers that their concerns would not be dismissed.

He pledged that his office would raise the matter on the floor of Parliament and engage the appropriate authorities to find practical solutions that would lead to the payment of farmers.

He described the situation as worrying and unacceptable, acknowledging the emotional distress and economic hardship being experienced by cocoa-growing households.

The MP also expressed concern about the broader socio-economic impact of the crisis in the constituency.

In Ofoase-Ayirebi, many farmers engage in both cocoa and rice farming as part of their livelihood strategy. However, farmers explained that the local rice market has also been hit by competition from cheaper imported rice, reducing demand for locally produced rice and further shrinking household incomes.

This double blow—from unpaid cocoa and unsold rice—has intensified hardship in the area.

Historically, cocoa has been the economic backbone of communities in the Eastern Region, including Ofoase-Ayirebi, providing income for households and supporting local economies through seasonal spending.

The current payment delays therefore have ripple effects beyond individual farmers, affecting traders, transport operators, labourers, and small businesses that depend on the cocoa economy.

The former Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s visit reflects growing political pressure on government over the cocoa payment crisis, as more constituencies report similar complaints from farmers.