The Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, Honorable Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has called on the youth to participate in cocoa farming, highlighting its significant financial potential.
As a board member of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Hon. Asamoah emphasized that cocoa is a valuable asset that must be preserved and encouraged young people to engage in cocoa farming.
The MP’s call comes amid concerns about cocoa farmers cutting down trees in protest over the recent price adjustment of GH¢128.75 per bag of cocoa.
Hon. Asamoah urged farmers to refrain from destroying their farms, warning that selling cocoa land for activities like gold mining may offer temporary financial relief but could have permanent negative consequences.
Hon. Asamoah assured the youth that the government is committed to providing necessary support to promote cocoa farming, including seedlings, insecticides, and other cocoa inputs. He encouraged the youth in the Dormaa West District to take advantage of the opportunities in cocoa farming and avoid seeking quick monetary gains that may lead to unfavorable outcomes.
The MP also defended the recent cocoa price adjustment, attributing it to the appreciation of the cedi against the dollar and other international currencies.
He emphasized that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has fulfilled its promise to allocate 70% of the Free on Board (FOB) price to farmers, with the remaining 30% covering expenses incurred by the Ghana COCOBOD.
By promoting cocoa farming and providing support to farmers, the government aims to boost the sector’s productivity and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
