By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged the government to maintain existing cocoa prices for farmers across the country despite the international market conditions, according to a statement on Friday.
The statement, signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop and President of the Bishops’ Conference, argued that during the years of the cocoa windfall, producer prices were not raised proportionally.
The group argued that accumulated surpluses over the years should be used to cushion farmers in difficult times.
“We note that while international market conditions fluctuate, farmers must not bear the full burden of systemic and historical failures. At the very least, existing producer prices should be sustained where increases are not feasible,” read the statement.
It added,” To penalise them for circumstances beyond their control would be insensitive and morally indefensible.”
The Bishops’ Conference called for the immediate payment of all arrears, transparent financial restructuring of the Ghana Cocoa Board, sustained producer prices, intensified investment in productivity, and a depoliticised national dialogue centred on farmers’ welfare.
The Conference also expressed alarm by Ghana’s weakening position in the global cocoa economy, as Ecuador is on course to overtake the country as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, while the combined output of Nigeria and Cameroon threatens to form a powerful third force.
Meanwhile, the Conference has written a detailed pastoral letter on the cocoa crisis and has been conveyed privately to President John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of Parliament for their consideration and further action. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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