Cocoa farmers in Darso braved heavy rains on Friday evening to petition members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, in a dramatic end to the caucus’s week-long tour of cocoa-growing communities in the Ashanti Region.

The farmers, who had gathered as early as 4:00 p.m., refused to disperse despite hours of torrential rainfall. With no shelter available, many resorted to using plantain leaves as cover, waiting in soaked clothing until the delegation arrived later in the evening.

The Minority delegation, led by Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, was received by the area’s MP, Fred Kyei Asamoah, and welcomed by an emotional crowd of farmers.

The farmers expressed deep frustration over delayed payments, reduced producer prices, and what they described as broken promises within the cocoa sector.

Some lamented that they had not been paid for their produce since October, worsening financial hardship in already struggling communities.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh urged the farmers not to lose hope, assuring them that the Minority Caucus would present their concerns to Parliament and demand accountability.

He emphasised that the tour was not merely symbolic but aimed at gathering firsthand evidence of the challenges facing cocoa farmers and advocating for policy interventions to restore fairness and stability in the sector.

The Minority Chief Whip also criticised the government’s handling of the cocoa industry, particularly recent producer price reductions and alleged delays in payments through Licensed Buying Companies.

He reiterated calls for transparency, urging the Ghana Cocoa Board to publish details of payments made to purchasing clerks to verify government claims.