The Minority inThe Minority in Parliament has indicated that it is prepared to take steps to compel the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, to appear before the House over mounting concerns about delayed payments to cocoa farmers. Parliament has indicated that it is prepared to take steps to compel the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, to appear before the House over mounting concerns about delayed payments to cocoa farmers.
Addressing the matter on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 17, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin described the situation as urgent, noting that the government has yet to fully settle payments owed to farmers for cocoa supplied during the 2024/2025 planting season.
“This is a House of Parliament, a platform of the people’s representatives. This is where we discuss national issues. The cocoa farmers in Volta, Ashanti, Bono, and Western North regions have been denied their dues,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
“If the Majority Leader will not bring the Finance Minister, we, the Minority, will use the appropriate laws available to us to summon the Finance Minister,” he added.
He emphasised that the matter goes beyond partisan politics, describing it as a national economic issue that directly impacts the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers across the country.
According to reports, the delays in payments have triggered frustration among farmers who depend on timely compensation to prepare for the next planting season. Such payments are essential for land preparation, purchasing farm inputs, servicing loans, and meeting household expenses.
Any interruption in the payment cycle, he noted, has wider implications, with potential ripple effects on rural economies, including local businesses, transport operators, and agricultural supply chains.
The Minority is therefore demanding that the finance minister personally brief Parliament on the causes of the delays, clearly outline the funding gaps within the cocoa sector, and explain the measures being implemented to stabilise the industry.
Afenyo-Markin’s warning comes amid increasing calls from cocoa-growing communities for the government to fast-track payments and ensure that farmers receive their rightful dues without further delay.
