Cocoa farmers in parts of Ghana are grappling with a shortage of jute sacks needed to store harvested beans, as tensions rise over producer prices.
Opposition lawmaker and Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh made this revelation during a tour of cocoa-growing communities in the Ahafo Region.
He said farmers are struggling to secure the essential packaging materials, warning that the situation could lead to post-harvest losses if not urgently addressed.
“If you can’t pay ¢6,000 to cocoa farmers and fulfil promises like drilling boreholes, at the very least maintain the ¢3,100 price you inherited,” he said. “Now farmers cannot even get jute sacks to store their produce—how did we get here?”
Protest
Cocoa farmers across the country have in recent days protested against a reduction in cocoa prices, arguing that the cuts, combined with logistical challenges, are worsening their livelihoods.
Annoh-Dompreh said the lack of jute sacks is compounding the impact of the price dispute, as cocoa beans left improperly stored risk deterioration, potentially affecting both quality and export earnings.
“[And] we will continue to push until the farmers’ demands are met,” he added.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, relies heavily on smallholder farmers, and disruptions in the supply chain—such as shortages of storage materials—can have ripple effects on production and trade.
There was no immediate response from the government or the Ghana Cocoa Board to the concerns raised.
Spending priorities
The Nsawam/Adogyiri MP further criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government over what he calls misplaced spending priorities, amid continued struggles in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Osahene Kwaku Atekyi II in the Ahafo Region, Mr Annoh-Dompreh alleged that the government spends about GHC20,000 per month in each of the country’s 275 constituencies—totaling roughly GHC5.5 million—on party executives, while cocoa farmers face delayed payments and lower producer prices.
“It is quite interesting to hear from the Director of Operations at the Jubilee House, Mustapha Gbande, that every constituency office of the NDC is given 20,000 cedis, and then 100,000 cedis to the regional office of the party,” he said. “Yet our farmers, the backbone of the economy, continue to struggle to receive timely payments for their cocoa.”
The lawmaker emphasised that Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), which purchase cocoa and sell it to COCOBOD, have historically received payments within 21 days. He warned that delays now risk undermining the credibility of these firms, noting that banks are reportedly reluctant to fund their operations.
Stalled projects
Meanwhile traditional authorities at Kukuom have urged urgent action to revive the stalled Agenda 111 hospital project in Asunafo South, backing former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s recent appeal for its completion.
“I’ve heard more about you… your intervention in improving the lives of the people of Nsawam and by extension the NPP is commendable. But I would want to remind you that farmers, and for that matter this area, have a lot of challenges that make us vulnerable”, the chief said during a courtesy call on him by the Minority.
“The stalled Agenda 111 project, which you spearheaded while in government and is currently located in Asunafo South, must be operational. We pray that you lead the campaign to get the project running,” the chief added.
