News
Cocoa Arrears: blame game will not solve the problem – Prof. Bokpin Boadi
Economist and policy analyst, Professor Godfred Bokpin Boadi, has called on government to stop the blame game over cocoa arrears and instead focus on finding practical solutions to address the challenges facing cocoa farmers.
Speaking during a discussion on the issue at joy news, Prof. Boadi said arguing over whether the current or previous government is responsible for the problem will not help farmers who are already struggling.
According to him, governments inherit both assets and liabilities when they take office, and while they often take credit for the assets, they are quick to shift blame when it comes to liabilities.
“Government inherits assets and liabilities. We praise the assets but try to find excuses when it comes to liabilities,” he said.
Prof. Boadi explained that cocoa, like gold, is sold on the international market, and Ghana does not control its price.
He noted that the country only controls production and quantity, while prices are determined globally.
He warned successive governments against politicising commodities such as cocoa, gold, and other export products, saying changes in international prices can easily expose the economy to serious challenges.
According to him, the revenue from cocoa sales in dollars, when converted using the exchange rate, should be enough to pay farmers.
However, fluctuations in global prices and the exchange rate have created a gap between what farmers are promised and what government earns from cocoa exports.
He pointed out that Ghana is currently paying farmers based on a cocoa price of about 5,500 dollars per tonne, while the international market price has dropped to around 4,300 dollars per tonne, creating a shortfall of more than 1,200 dollars per tonne.
Prof. Boadi said the real issue now is how government plans to close this gap to ensure farmers are paid fairly.
He suggested that government could explore options such as using reserves, borrowing, delaying payments, or negotiating new payment arrangements with farmers to manage the situation.
“At the end of the day, the farmer is the one suffering. Whether it is the past government or the current government, the farmer’s problem remains the same,” he said.
He stressed that the focus should be on finding solutions to prevent further hardship for cocoa farmers rather than trading accusations.
The comments come amid growing concerns over cocoa arrears and rising pressure on government to act swiftly to stabilise the cocoa sector.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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