Some Cocoa farmers at Aboso in Juaboso Constituency in the Western North Region have lamented over non-payment of their cocoa produce.

The farmers allege that over the last six months, they have not received a penny from government, a situation they say has worsened their plight as they are unable to fend for their families.

It will be recalled that the Sector Minister, Owusu Akoto Afryie during his vetting indicated that government will commence payment to the farmers on February 22, this year, however, the farmers say they are yet to receive their share.

The farmers, therefore, wants government to come clean with them on why their monies have been delayed as some suspect someone may be playing smart with their monies.

Meanwhile, MP for the area, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has pleaded with government to immediately raise funds to address the concerns of the farmers.

“The unfortunate aspect that I recall vividly is that immediately after engaging the press, the majority led by Afenyo Markins also engaged the same press and debunked it strongly that what we were saying was not the truth.

According to him, he was hopeful that funds were going to be released to sort the farmers out “but unfortunately, as I speak to you now, the situation is even worse.”

He apprised that every cocoa season, “the COCOBOD or the government comes to Parliament for a loan and the 2020/21 cocoa season, Parliament approved about ¢1.2 billion for the purchase of cocoa beans.”

The MP, however, suspects that the funds meant for the payment of the cocoa produce were invested in securing the second term for President Akufo-Addo.

“The situation is getting worse, for me, I strongly believe that they have used the money for the campaign, for the 2020 campaign,” he said.

“Somebody cannot buy cocoa beans in November and as of today, he’s not been paid, we are in April. We have never witnessed such a situation in this country before, we have never,” he added.

 “We have not ended the cocoa season so why is it that we cannot get money to purchase cocoa beans, is it a case that they have used that particular money for the campaign,” he quizzed.

Mr Mintah stressed that it was only fair to pay the farmers after the encouragement given them to plant the cocoa.

“They need their money. We have approved 1.5 billion dollars, where is the money so we don’t need any other steps than to release the money for them to be paid, it’s as simple as that.”

As MP for the area, Mr Mintah said he will not relax until he gets the government to attend to the farmers need.

“I am not the controller of the public purse, I don’t work at COCOBOD, I don’t hold the money so as the Member of Parliament, as the people’s representative, this is what I can do. I should bring government’s attention to what is happening on the ground that is what is important,” he said.

“Because no matter what, I don’t have the money to pay the farmers so I must draw government’s attention and until the government gets to know the reality on the grounds, I will not relax,” he added.