Former President John Dramani Mahama concluded his two-day tour of the Central region with a commitment to revive growth in agriculture, particularly in the cocoa sector.
Addressing concerns raised by farmers at separate durbars, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer emphasized the crucial role played by the cocoa sector in Ghana’s economy.
He expressed disappointment in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s policies, stating that they had jeopardized the once thriving cocoa industry.
Mahama highlighted the positive impact of the NDC government’s policies, such as the supply of free fertilizer, seedlings, and inputs to cocoa farmers, leading to an increase in the annual crop yield. However, he lamented that policy changes by the current government had significantly affected the national cocoa yield, putting the industry at risk of collapse.
“When we started giving out free fertilizers, it was because we realised it would help improve yield, and in the 2016/17 crop year, we recorded a massive increase in produce.
“I cannot understand why this government will decide to stop that and sell the fertilizers to the farmers… It is wickedness to leave the fertilizer in warehouses because the farmers cannot buy them,” he indicated.
Mr. Mahama pledged to strengthen the country’s cocoa sector through carefully planned policy interventions aimed at enhancing the cocoa value chain, which is crucial for the country’s economic recovery.
The initiative aims not only to increase the income of cocoa farmers but also to create employment opportunities and foster economic development in the regions associated with cocoa cultivation.
As well, Mr Mahama said the fisheries sub-sector had encountered depressing outputs for some time now, ”resulting in very high deficits in national fish supply, relative to demand and consumption requirements”.
Former President Mahama highlighted significant concerns in the fishing industry, including inadequate infrastructure for the development of the post-harvest sub-sector, unsafe and unhygienic landing beaches, and the prevalence of illegal fishing methods and activities.
He asserted that the NDC government’s construction of a processing plant aimed to address these issues by reducing post-harvest losses, adding value to the fish catch, and optimizing the nation’s benefits from the fishing industry.
Regarding premix fuel, Mr. Mahama accused the government of undermining the efforts of artisanal fishers and contributing to the challenges they face in the industry.
“When we were in power, we set up the landing beach committee, and at that time, anyone could be a member. The premix was distributed judiciously.
“But now, fuel diversion and mismanagement of the distribution of premix fuel appear to have reached its peak. The NPP government is politicising the distribution,” he criticised.
Mr Mahama on Friday began a two-day campaign tour of the Central Region dubbed: “Building Ghana”.
He interacted with traditional authorities, supporters, and interest groups across the Region.