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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has rejected chocolates distributed to mark National Chocolate Week in protest against the government’s reduction in the cocoa producer price.
The gesture was led by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, during a statement on the floor of Parliament on Friday, February 14, which coincided with Valentine’s Day.
The Minority argued that the government’s decision to reduce the cocoa producer price from GH¢3,625 per 64-kilogramme bag to GH¢2,587 has deepened the hardship faced by cocoa farmers across the country.
Speaking during the debate, the NPP Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, described the distribution of chocolates as misplaced at a time when farmers were grappling with reduced earnings.
Similarly, the NPP MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, alleged that some cocoa farmers had begun cutting down their cocoa trees in protest over the price reduction.
However, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, criticised the Minority for what he termed attempts to incite cocoa farmers. He maintained that chocolate consumption plays a vital role in sustaining the cocoa industry, arguing that continued demand ultimately benefits farmers.
In a lighter exchange, Mr Ayariga joked that Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh had secretly pocketed some chocolates and playfully called on parliamentary security to search his pockets, drawing laughter in the chamber.
