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The Majority in Parliament has accused the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration of misusing a $600 million facility secured from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to improve cocoa production in Ghana.
According to the Majority, the funds approved by Parliament were meant for cocoa farm expansion, planting of new cocoa trees, farm surveys, construction of warehouses, and other productivity-enhancing projects. However, they claim the intended objectives were not achieved.
Speaking during a debate on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor alleged that the former government failed to use the funds for their intended purpose.
He said the failure to properly invest the money contributed to a decline in cocoa production, noting that Ghana’s cocoa output dropped from about one million metric tonnes annually to 450,000 tonnes by the end of 2024.
Mr. Dafeamekpor further argued that the decline affected jobs and businesses within the cocoa value chain, leading to economic difficulties for many people involved in the sector.
The allegations have sparked debate over the management of Ghana’s cocoa sector and the need for improved investment to restore production levels.
Story by Efua Nessa