<\/p>\n
Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has criticised Cocobod for prioritising excessive expenditures at its Accra headquarters over investments in cocoa farmers.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Sunrise FM on Friday, November 22, to wrap up his five-day tour of the Eastern Region, Mahama raised concerns about Cocobod\u2019s financial management practices, particularly in the face of declining cocoa production.<\/p>\n
\u201cCocoa farmers have been struggling for a long time, and yet Cocobod finds it appropriate to spend huge sums of money on its headquarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is unacceptable. Over the past four years, cocoa production has fallen to 555,000 tonnes, while Cocobod\u2019s headquarters expenditure has ballooned to an alarming GHC3.4 billion in 2023. How does this benefit our hardworking farmers? They are rather spending it on cars and undeserving salaries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Mahama also outlined plans to revive the cocoa sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers if elected in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have said that we will do better with the management of the cocoa sector. Cocoa farmers will benefit immensely under our government. We plan to implement year-round irrigation in cocoa-growing areas and build cocoa processing plants to add value locally,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0added<\/p>\n
\nWe are not recruiting thugs in Obuasi East \u2013 NDC Mining Committee<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n