The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has alleged that the government has directed Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to suspend cocoa purchases across the country, a move he says is causing distress among farmers.

According to him, the directive has left many cocoa farmers unable to sell their produce at a time when they are already grappling with a reduction in producer prices.

Speaking during a visit to Offinso in the Ashanti Region on Sunday, Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the development signals what he described as a lack of support for farmers who form the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

“The government has directed Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to suspend cocoa purchases nationwide, causing distress among Ghanaian cocoa farmers, while Ivory Coast continues buying activities,” he claimed.

The Minority Chief Whip made the remarks when a delegation of the Minority Caucus in Parliament paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, during the celebration of the Akwasidae Festival.

The visit formed part of a five-day tour by the Minority Caucus to cocoa-producing communities in the Ashanti Region. The tour, led by Mr. Annoh-Dompreh, is aimed at engaging farmers to better understand their concerns following the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices.

Before beginning the tour, the delegation sought the blessing of the caretaker of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, in line with traditional protocol.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh, who belongs to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), argued that the decision to suspend cocoa purchases could worsen the financial strain on farmers.

He maintained that while fluctuations in international cocoa prices are not new, Ghana has historically had mechanisms to cushion farmers from the full impact of such changes.

According to him, the current administration led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has failed to effectively use those systems to protect farmers.

“The reactions from farmers show they are unhappy and uncomfortable with the price cut,” he added.

Despite his criticisms, the Minority Chief Whip said the tour of cocoa communities is not intended to be confrontational but rather to engage farmers and better understand the challenges they are facing.

Meanwhile, Nana Dwamena Akenten II welcomed the delegation and commended their decision to interact directly with cocoa farmers.

He noted that farmers remain the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa economy and urged policymakers to give greater attention to their concerns.

“The cocoa price cut has hit us hard because I am a cocoa farmer myself. It is good you have come to hear the farmers’ concerns firsthand,” the Offinso chief said.

He, however, advised the visiting lawmakers to ensure their engagements with farmers are not driven by political motives.

On behalf of the Asantehene, the chief granted the delegation permission to proceed with their tour of cocoa-growing communities in the region.