President Akufo-Addo has justified government’s decision to retain the price of cocoa despite the fall on the international market.
He said cocoa farmers produce wealth for the nation and it is only fair to support them when prices are not favorable.
President Akufo-Addo made this known at the Jubilee House, when the Ghana Cocoa Coffee Sheanut Farmers Association paid a courtesy call on him.
He said government is collaborating with its Ivorian counterparts to get better conditions for farmers.
He said Cote D’Ivoire which produces about 65% of the world’s cocoa, will partner Ghana to coordinate a marketing policy that will help both countries to get good prices on the international market.
President Akufo-Addo said government will also establish a Crop Development Authority, which will support coffee, rubber, sheanut and other crop producers the same way COCOBOD is supporting farmers. This will be backed by legislation.
President Akufo-Addo, appealed to farmers to help government stamp out the smuggling of subsidised fertilizer.