Expressing concerns about Ghana potentially losing its standing as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer to Ecuador, former President John Dramani Mahama attributes the decline in cocoa production to what he perceives as detrimental policies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
Mahama points to Ghana’s cocoa production of 960,000 metric tonnes in 2016, contending that policies implemented by the NPP have negatively impacted the industry.
Specifically, he highlights the discontinuation of free fertilizer provision to farmers, resulting in increased challenges such as pest infestations and a subsequent decline in productivity.
On December 22, 2023, at a durbar in Nyankumasi Ahenkro, in the Assin South district of the Central region, the former President expressed apprehension about Ghana’s diminishing cocoa production compared to the rising output in Ecuador.
In his role as the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahama urged residents to support the NDC’s bid for power, emphasizing the importance of reinstating the free fertilizer policy to boost cocoa yields.
Mahama warned of the possibility that Ecuador could surpass Ghana as the second-largest cocoa producer without intervention.
He stated, “The cocoa sector is collapsing because the trees are dying since there is no fertilizer to apply. There is a country called Ecuador who were nowhere near our production capacity, but they are now producing over 300,000 to almost 400,000 tonnes, and Ghana has been dropping consistently.
“If the NDC doesn’t come to save our cocoa from collapsing, Ecuador will overtake us as the second-largest producer,” Mahama stated as he addressed residents in Twi during his ‘Building Ghana Tour’ in the Central region.
Delivering these remarks in Twi during his ‘Building Ghana Tour’ in the Central region, Mahama used the platform to gather ideas for the NDC’s People’s Manifesto for the 2024 elections.