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COCOBOD Crisis: Farmers need clear solutions, not assurances – Miracles Aboagye
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Political communicator Miracles Aboagye has criticised the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) over the handling of the ongoing cocoa payment crisis, saying farmers need clear solutions rather than assurances.
According to him, he was not inspired after listening to the COCOBOD CEO, Dr.Randy Abbey’s address the issue, especially after the crisis has persisted for several months.
“I listened to the COCOBOD CEO and I wasn’t inspired. This crisis started as far back as November 2025, and here we are in February 2026, still telling farmers you’re looking for solutions. That is not assurance,” he said.
Mr. Aboagye described the situation as a sign of leadership failure, arguing that after four months, government should have clearly outlined concrete measures to resolve the problem.
He questioned how long farmers are expected to wait, stressing that continued delays are discouraging and deeply worrying, especially as the country prepares to enter the main cocoa crop season.
He said he had visited several cocoa-growing communities and interacted directly with farmers, some of whom have not been paid for months.
According to him, the situation is pushing some farmers to consider selling their cocoa farms to illegal small-scale miners, commonly known as galamsey operators, who are offering immediate cash.
“The offers from galamsey operators are tempting. If farmers work hard and government delays their money, they may be forced to destroy cocoa farms just to survive,” he warned.
Mr. Aboagye described the situation as dangerous for the future of cocoa farming, noting that cocoa farms are long-term investments that support families across generations.
He cited examples of cocoa farms passed down through families over decades, stressing that cocoa farming is more sustainable than illegal mining, which destroys land and leaves communities worse off.
He also appealed to farmers not to give up their farms despite the challenges, urging them to think about future generations.
Mr. Aboagye called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to treat the cocoa crisis with urgency, saying the complaints from farmers are genuine and not exaggerated.
“The complaints are real. I have been to the farms. I have listened to the farmers. What they are saying on the airwaves is exactly what they are experiencing on the ground,” he said.
He added that cocoa farmers are facing rising living costs and need immediate support to survive.
The cocoa payment delays have sparked growing public concern, with calls mounting for government and COCOBOD to act swiftly to protect farmers and the cocoa sector.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has successfully conducted constituency executive elections in 245 out of its 276 constituencies across the country.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the exercise recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and was conducted peacefully in the constituencies where voting took place.
In an update posted on his Facebook page, he said elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes.
He added that four constituencies Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu could not hold their elections due to last minute challenges.
According to him, the party’s National Steering Committee will also review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central.
Mr Frimpong said the National Secretariat is committed to resolving all outstanding issues to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive elections.
He expressed appreciation to members of the party for their support and discipline throughout the exercise.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all Patriots for their commitment, discipline, and support, which contributed to the successful conduct of these elections,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested two Nigerian nationals in connection with the murder of a 36-year-old Nigerian man at Sanzirigu in Tamale.
The suspects, identified as Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, were arrested on Saturday, July 11, shortly after the body of Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze was found in his bedroom.
According to the Police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased lived in a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, Peace Uzorchuku, the two suspects and another Nigerian national, Godwin Nwafor.
The Police said officers began investigations after receiving a report that the deceased had been found lying in a pool of blood in his room.
A team that visited the scene found that he had suffered a deep cut to the forehead and had a towel stuffed into his mouth. The room had also been ransacked.
The Police said a wooden pestle believed to have been used in the attack, together with other items, was recovered from the scene for forensic examination.
The body was taken to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where a medical officer confirmed him dead before it was deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
According to the Police, intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the two suspects at Tatale on the same day while they were allegedly attempting to escape into the Republic of Togo.
They were later handed over to the Tamale District Criminal Investigations Department to assist with investigations.
The Police said the suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that they had conspired to kill the deceased because he had been withholding money they claimed was obtained through internet fraud.
A search conducted after their arrest led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen from the deceased’s room, including mobile phones, laptop computers, a tablet, jewellery, clothing, wristwatches, personal documents and other valuables. The Police said the items have been kept as exhibits to support the investigations.
The suspects remain in Police custody and are expected to appear before court on Monday, July 13, to facilitate the ongoing investigations.
The Northern Regional Police Command said it remains committed to bringing everyone involved in the crime to justice and urged the public to provide credible information to help fight crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
