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You’ve got no credibility to challenge Mahama on cocoa pricing issues – Sammy Gyamfi to COCOBOD CEO
The National Communications Officer for the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi has rebuked the CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo for taking on former President John Mahama over his critique of the government’s decision to raise the price of a bag of cocoa to GH¢1,300.
Mr Mahama who is also the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) described it as a rip-off of hardworking cocoa farmers.
But in an open letter dated September 12, 2023, the COCOBOD CEO on former President Mahama to acquaint himself with the process involved in determining the producer price of cocoa.
Mr Aidoo clarified that during the 2023/24 season, cocoa was traded between October 2022 and March 2023 at international prices ranging from $2,200 to $2,400 per tonne.
“Since you have had the privilege of being in government before as the number one gentleman of the country, it is expected that you would be familiar with the process for determining the producer price of cocoa.
“I am, therefore, surprised that you chose, rather erroneously, to use the current international market price of cocoa at $3,600 per tonne as the basis for your calculation in your post on the recently announced producer price,” the letter reads.
“Mr Aidoo explained that Ghana’s cocoa beans are predominantly sold in advance. Consequently, the 2023/24 crop was traded between October 2022 and March 2023 at international rates, ranging from $2,200 to $2,400 per tonne.
“The global price of cocoa began its ascent in April 2023, a period when a significant portion of the 2023/24 crop had already been transacted, as stated in COCOBOD’s release.
“You are fully aware that Ghana’s cocoa beans are mostly sold forward. This means that the 2023/24 crop was sold between October 2022 and March 2023 at international prices; ranging between $2,200 per tonne and $2,400 per tonne.
“The international price of cocoa then began to increase in April 2023, when a greater percentage of the 2023/24 crop had already been sold.”
But reacting to the impasse on Metro TV on Thursday, Sammy Gyamfi said the COCOBOD CEO lacks the credibility to contradict Mr Mahama on such an issue.
According to him, the COCOBOD made profits under Mahama but under the leadership of Mr Boahen Aidoo the institution has been recording losses since this government came into office.
“So President Mahama says if you’re getting ¢2,500 on the international market for every bag of cocoa, then you’re shortchanging the farmer by giving him just ¢1,308 which in percentage terms is 52.7%, not 70.5%.
“So President Mahama knows better than Boahen Aidoo which is why under his leadership COCOBOD made a profit of ¢319 million in 2014, ¢152 million in 2015.”
“Boahen Aidoo knows next to nothing about cocoa which is why under his leadership for six consecutive years together with President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia has collapsed COCOBOD and made consecutive losses for six years in the history of COCOBOD. So he has no credibility to challenge President Mahama when we are talking about cocoa prices.”
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate resignation of Mr Boahen Aidoo.
The Minority says Aidoo has mismanaged the cocoa sector and has worsened the plight of cocoa farmers. They argue that he is no longer fit to occupy the position of CEO.
Speaking to journalists in the Ashanti Region, Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said the cocoa sector is collapsing despite an announcement of a 68 per cent increase in the producer price.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has issued a strong public statement calling for an end to what he describes as continuous attacks on his brand, following an apology from media commentator Awal Mohammed.
In the statement, Shatta Wale acknowledged the apology but stressed that persistent criticism and what he sees as deliberate attempts to damage his image must stop.
He noted that for many years, he has spoken for the streets, the youth, and people who feel ignored by society, while also promoting Ghana on the global stage and creating jobs through his work.
He expressed concern that some media personalities, commentators, and influential figures continue to target his name unfairly.
According to him, the issue goes beyond music and touches on respect, fairness, and national maturity.
The musician warned that continued disrespect toward voices that represent ordinary people could have wider consequences.
He emphasised that the Shatta Movement remains strong and organized, and that the patience of the masses should not be taken for granted.
He added that if systems continue to fail the people, they have the ability to organize politically through numbers and truth, not violence or hate.
Shatta Wale clarified that his message was not a threat but a reminder of reality, stressing that attacking a symbol that represents millions of people can have social, cultural, and democratic effects.
He called for respect, fairness, and unity, saying the voice of the people will always rise.
The statement comes after Awal Mohammed recently described Shatta Wale fans during a public discussion as junkies.
The comments triggered backlash from fans of the musician, prompting Awal to later issue an apology.
By: Jacob Aggrey
