‘Our wards still home due to govt payment delays’- Manso-Adubia cocoa farmers lament
Cocoa farmers at Manso Adubia in the Ashanti Region are calling on government to urgently settle outstanding payments for cocoa beans supplied over the past six months.
The farmers say the delay has left them stranded and struggling to meet basic financial responsibilities, including paying their children’s school fees.
Speaking to the media during a visit by the Minority in Parliament on Wednesday , the farmers expressed frustration over the situation, noting that many of them have been forced to consider taking loans, which they say are difficult to access.
“My children are currently home because government has failed to pay us, how long will he be home when his collegues are learning?”.
“Even cocoa buying clerks who use to lend us monies have failed to raise money for us, the situation is dire and we need the government”
They added that pressure from their children over unpaid school expenses continues to mount, making the situation even more challenging.
The concerns were raised during an engagement with a Minority delegation led by the Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri and Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
Responding to the farmers, the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei, assured them that their concerns would be presented in Parliament.
She further pledged that the Minority will continue to advocate for the farmers to ensure they receive their due payments and improve their living conditions.
The farmers are therefore urging government to act swiftly to ease their financial burden and support their ability to cater for their families and invest in their children’s education.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Jacob Agyenim Boateng
