John Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized Cocobod for what he describes as excessive spending on its Accra headquarters at the expense of supporting cocoa farmers.
Speaking on Sunrise FM on Friday, November 22, during the conclusion of his five-day tour of the Eastern Region, Mahama expressed concerns about Cocobod’s financial management amid declining cocoa production.
“Cocoa farmers have been struggling for years, yet Cocobod prioritizes spending massive sums on its headquarters,” he stated. “This is unacceptable. Over the past four years, cocoa production has dropped to 555,000 tonnes, while headquarters expenditure has surged to a staggering GHC3.4 billion in 2023. How does this help our hardworking farmers? Instead, the money is being spent on cars and undeserving salaries.”
Mahama also outlined his vision for reviving the cocoa sector and improving the livelihoods of farmers if elected in 2024.
“We are committed to better management of the cocoa sector. Cocoa farmers will thrive under our government. We plan to implement year-round irrigation in cocoa-growing areas and establish cocoa processing plants to add local value,” he explained.
The former president’s comments come as Ghana grapples with challenges in its cocoa industry, which has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s economy.