With Ghana’s 960,000 metric tonnes of cocoa production in 2016 making her the second largest producer of the cash crop globally, the nation will likely lose the slot to Ecuador, should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) be retained.
John Dramani Mahama, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who is making the assertion says the NPP government has collapsed the cocoa industry with its bad policies.
According to him, the free fertiliser that was given to farmers to increase production has been abated by the NPP administration making farmers lose many of their trees to pests, among other challenges which is hampering productivity.
Speaking at a durbar at Nyankumasi Ahenkro in the Assin South district of the Central region Friday, December 22, 2023, the former President expressed fear over the foul development regarding how Ecuador is appreciating in its output with Ghana doing otherwise.
John Mahama, has therefore called on the residents to help kick the NPP out for reintroduction of the free fertiliser policy by the next NDC government to help boost their cocoa yield.
“We harvested 960,000 metric tonnes of cocoa in Ghana but in NPP’s time, you need to buy the fertiliser yourselves. It wouldn’t be given out for free anymore so our 960,000 metric tonnes have dropped and we should even pat ourselves if we get 600,000 metric tonnes this year.
“The cocoa sector is collapsing because the trees are dying since there is no fertiliser to apply.
“There is a country called Ecuador who were nowhere near our production capacity but they are now producing over 300,000 to almost 400,000 tonnes and Ghana has been dropping consistently.
“If the NDC doesn’t come to save our cocoa from collapsing, Ecuador will overtake us as the second largest producer,” he preached to the residents in Twi.
John Mahama was on his trail to the Central region as part of his ‘Building Ghana Tour’, a campaign he is using to solicit ideas for the NDC’s People’s Manifesto for election 2024.
Content by: Felix Anim-Appau
