By Collins Sarkodieh 
Nana Kassim Okyere Obeng, the Chief of Obengkrom in the Central Region, has publicly criticized President John Dramani Mahama, labeling him a “cheat” due to the recent reduction in cocoa prices. The traditional leader argued that the government has failed to protect the livelihoods of farmers, leading many to abandon cocoa cultivation in favor of alternative crops like oil palm.
The Chief’s remarks were made during a recent visit by a Minority delegation from Parliament, which aimed to assess the challenges facing cocoa-growing communities. According to Nana Obeng, the current administration has neglected its promises to the sector, resulting in severe economic hardship for rural families who have relied on cocoa for generations.
This vocal dissatisfaction highlights a growing tension in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese Constituency. The Chief further suggested that if the current leadership cannot effectively manage the country’s agricultural economy, they should step down to allow for more competent governance.
Why are cocoa farmers in Obengkrom abandoning their farms?
Cocoa farmers in Obengkrom are cutting down their trees because the current farmgate prices have dropped to levels that make the business unsustainable. Chief Nana Kassim Okyere Obeng noted that the high cost of inputs compared to the low returns from harvests has forced many to pivot toward palm nut plantations to survive.
Historically, cocoa has been the backbone of the Central Region’s rural economy. However, when the price per bag fails to cover the labor, fertilizer, and transportation costs, farmers are left with no choice but to seek more profitable ventures. The Chief’s frustration stems from a perceived lack of government intervention to stabilize these prices during global market fluctuations.
This shift to palm oil is more than just a trend; it is a survival mechanism. Unlike cocoa, which requires intense maintenance and is subject to strict government-controlled pricing via COCOBOD, palm nuts offer more flexible market opportunities. For the residents of Obengkrom, the transition is a direct result of feeling cheated by the current administration’s pricing policies.
What are the specific allegations against MP Felix Kwakye Ofosu?
The Chief of Obengkrom accused Member of Parliament Felix Kwakye Ofosu of being “deceitful” and neglecting his constituents after securing their votes. Nana Kassim Okyere Obeng claimed that communication between his office and the MP has completely broken down, with his messages often going ignored.
This highlights a common grievance in Ghanaian politics: the “accessibility gap” between elected officials and traditional authorities. Before winning office, candidates often maintain close ties with local chiefs, but these relationships frequently sour once the election is over. The Chief’s public blast serves as a warning that the community feels abandoned by their representative in Parliament.
By naming the MP alongside the President, the Chief is signaling that the dissatisfaction in Obengkrom is both local and national. The lack of responsiveness from Felix Kwakye Ofosu is seen as a secondary betrayal, compounding the economic pain caused by the central government’s agricultural failures.
How does the cocoa sector impact Ghana’s broader economy?
The cocoa sector is a vital component of Ghana’s GDP and its primary source of foreign exchange, making the grievances of farmers a matter of national economic security. When chiefs like Nana Kassim Okyere Obeng encourage a shift away from cocoa, it threatens the long-term stability of the cedi and the country’s export revenue.
In Ghana, the cocoa industry supports the livelihoods of approximately 800,000 farm families. When these families suffer, the ripple effect is felt in local markets, schools, and healthcare facilities. The Minority’s tour across cocoa-growing regions suggests that the issues in Obengkrom are mirrored in other parts of the country, indicating a systemic crisis in the sector.
The government usually argues that cocoa prices are dictated by the international market in London and New York. However, traditional leaders argue that the state’s management of the cocoa “stabilization fund” should be more transparent to protect farmers during lean years. Without this protection, the “cheat” narrative continues to gain traction among the rural electorate.
Factual Insights into Ghana’s Cocoa Industry:
- Global Ranking: Ghana is the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa, contributing roughly 15% to 20% of the global supply.
- Economic Contribution: Cocoa accounts for about 2% to 2.5% of Ghana’s total GDP and a significant portion of agricultural export earnings.
- Demographic Impact: Over 60% of the labor force in rural cocoa-growing areas, including the Central Region, is directly dependent on cocoa production.
- Farmer Demographics: Smallholder farmers, primarily of Akan and other local ethnic groups, manage about 90% of Ghana’s cocoa land.
- Price Volatility: In the 2023/2024 season, global cocoa prices saw record highs, yet many Ghanaian farmers complained that the local farmgate price did not reflect these gains.
- Land Use Shift: Estimates suggest that thousands of hectares of cocoa land are lost annually to mining (galamsey) and more profitable crops like rubber and oil palm.
What is the goal of the Minority’s tour of cocoa communities?
The Minority in Parliament is engaging cocoa-growing communities to gather evidence of government mismanagement and to propose alternative policies for farmer welfare. By visiting villages like Obengkrom, they are amplifying the voices of traditional leaders to put pressure on the Mahama administration.
These engagements allow the Minority to document specific challenges such as the lack of fertilizers, poor road networks in farming communities, and the “deceit” mentioned by Nana Kassim Okyere Obeng. This information is then used to challenge the Minister of Agriculture and COCOBOD officials during parliamentary sessions in Accra.
Ultimately, these tours are part of a broader political strategy. By highlighting the suffering of cocoa farmers, the opposition aims to prove that the current leadership has lost touch with the “heart” of Ghana’s economy. The Chief’s call for the President to “step down” is the extreme end of this public dissatisfaction.
The fiery remarks from the Chief of Obengkrom serve as a stark reminder that rural Ghana is losing patience with the status quo. When a chief describes a sitting President as a “cheat” and an MP as “deceitful,” it reflects a deep-seated crisis of trust that goes beyond simple economics.
For the cocoa farmers of the Central Region, the issue is survival. As they cut down their cocoa trees to make room for palm nut plantations, they are essentially voting with their machetes. If the government fails to address the pricing and communication gaps highlighted by Nana Kassim Okyere Obeng, the “Golden Pod” of Ghana may soon lose its shine.
Also Read: Ending the Offshore Era: COCOBOD’s New Plan to Self-Fund Ghana’s Cocoa