Annoh-Dompreh and Minority Caucus Begin Week-Long Tour of Ashanti Cocoa Communities | Discuss Ghana

On Monday, March 16, 2026, the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, led a delegation of Minority Members of Parliament on a week-long tour of cocoa-growing communities across the Ashanti Region.

The tour, which will cover approximately 20 communities, is designed to engage directly with farmers following the government’s recent decision to reduce cocoa producer prices—a move the Minority has termed a "cocoa price haircut".

---

Seeking Royal Blessings in Offinso

The tour officially commenced on Sunday, March 15, with a high-profile courtesy call on the Offinso Traditional Council during their Akwasidae celebrations:

Meeting the Offinsomanhene: The delegation met with Nana Dwamena Akenten II and the Queenmother, Nana Adwoa Afranewaa III. In the absence of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (who is currently out of the country), the Offinsomanhene gave his blessings to the tour.

"Speak for the Farmers": Nana Dwamena Akenten II urged the MPs to treat the plight of cocoa farmers as a national priority rather than a partisan one, stating, "Go and speak for the farmers—we are behind you".

Allegations of Purchase Suspension: During the visit, Annoh-Dompreh alleged that the government has secretly directed Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to suspend cocoa purchases nationwide, a move he says is causing "unnecessary distress" to farmers.

---

The Goal: Opposing the "Price Haircut"

The Minority Caucus is focusing its engagement on several key economic grievances currently facing the cocoa sector:

Price Reduction: The MPs are protesting the downward review of cocoa producer prices from over GH¢3,600 to approximately GH¢2,500 per bag for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.

Delayed Payments: Farmers have reported significant delays in receiving payments for produce already delivered to COCOBOD-authorized centers.

Input Costs: The delegation aims to document the impact of rising costs for fertilizers and farm tools, which have slashed the profit margins of smallholder farmers.

---

Tour Logistics and Next Steps

The week-long exercise (March 16–20) involves over a dozen MPs, including Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku (Offinso South) and members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food and Agriculture:

Itinerary: The team will visit communities in Offinso, Akumadan, Tepa, and other key cocoa hubs in the region.

Parliamentary Action: Data and testimonies gathered during the tour will be used to support a formal motion in Parliament calling for a restoration of the previous producer price.

Asantehene Briefing: Upon the Asantehene's return, the Minority Caucus intends to formally brief him on the findings and the general state of the cocoa economy in the Ashanti Region.

Read also: Sharaf Mahama and Sports Officials Host Multi-Faith Prayer for Black Stars