SUHUM MP CRITICIZES COCOA PRICE REDUCTION SAYS DECISION IS UNFAIR TO GHANAIAN FARMERS.- HON FRANK ASEIDU BEKOE.

The Member of Parliament for Suhum, Frank Aseidu Bekoe, has strongly spoken against the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices. He made his comments during a phone interview on the programme Ghana Nti Today with Nana Nhyiraba Kwabena Asirifi on iCad TV. According to him, the decision to reduce cocoa prices will hurt farmers across the country. He said cocoa farmers work very hard and should not suffer whenever international prices drop. He was reacting to comments by the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, who reportedly said that since world cocoa prices have reduced, the government must also reduce the price paid to farmers in Ghana. The Suhum MP disagreed. He explained that when world cocoa prices increased to about $9,000 per tonne, farmers did not receive a big increase in their payments. However, when prices have now dropped, the government quickly reduced the local price. He questioned this approach and asked why farmers do not benefit fully when prices go up, but are affected immediately when prices come down. He described the situation as unfair and called on the government to rethink the decision.