The Nkoranza South Youth Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Isaac White, has commended the Bono Regional Minister for intensifying efforts to clamp down on cocoa smuggling and alleged exploitation of cocoa farmers in the Bono Region.

According to him, the minister’s intervention has helped protect cocoa farmers from some licensed cocoa buyers who allegedly attempted to deny farmers the approved prices for cocoa purchased on credit before the recent reduction in producer prices.

Speaking on ‘Ghana Nkomo’, a thursday socio-political show hosted by Akua Nyarko Abronoma at Sompa Fm-Sunyani, Isaac White claimed the Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah (Esq.) acted swiftly after realizing that certain activities by members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some cocoa buyers could negatively affect cocoa farmers and government efforts within the cocoa sector.

“The Bono Regional Minister knew what some NPP members were doing would distract the cocoa farmers and allow buyers to deprive them of the exact amount due them for their cocoa,” he stated.

He explained that the NDC government had already released funds to cocoa buyers who purchased cocoa on credit from farmers before the downward adjustment in cocoa prices, with instructions from President John Dramani Mahama that farmers must still be paid the old agreed prices.

According to him, the minister’s intervention has already led to the arrest of some buyers accused of refusing to pay farmers the full amount released by government.

Isaac White further praised the minister for supporting ongoing operations against cocoa smuggling activities, especially the illegal movement of cocoa beans from neighboring Côte d’Ivoire into Ghana.

“We applaud the minister for helping to catch people involved in cocoa smuggling and buyers who are trying to sabotage the government’s efforts,” he added.

The Nkoranza South Youth Communication Officer, therefore, urged the regional minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah (Esq.) to remain steadfast in the anti-smuggling campaign, insisting that the people of the Bono Region would continue to support his leadership if he maintains the current momentum.

“We want the minister to continue the good work he is doing,” Isaac White stressed.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan