Gov't must heed plight of women in cocoa price crisis - Afigya Kwabre South MP

Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam, Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre South, highlighted the struggles of cocoa farmers, particularly women, who are grappling with the effects of delayed payments and reductions in cocoa prices. She described their situation as a matter of life and called for urgent government attention. Speaking on the sidelines of a cocoa farmers' engagement event held at Kwakokrom in the Amansie West District, Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam said the accounts shared by female farmers were deeply troubling and reflected severe hardship that can no longer be ignored.

According to Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam, the farmers are struggling to provide basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and education for their children. She stated that some farmers have died while others are bedridden, largely due to cocoa price reductions and delayed payments. She recounted the distressing case of a female cocoa farmer whose husband was hospitalized, but they could not afford his treatment because the purchasing clerk had taken their cocoa without making payment. After engaging with the farmers, the MP noted that many are calling for cocoa prices to be restored to previous levels, particularly if government is unable to meet its commitments. She emphasized that the challenges facing cocoa farmers should not be politicised, stressing, "This is not about NPP or NDC."

Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam urged the President and female Members of Parliament to treat the issue with the urgency it deserves. Her remarks add to growing calls for government action to address concerns within the cocoa sector and protect the livelihoods of farmers.