Some aggrieved cocoa farmers are reportedly lacing their boots to institute a legal action against the government, citing “disdain” for their livelihoods and a breach of trust.
A former presidential staff member, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, said the decision follows the government’s policy shifts and price adjustments in the cocoa sector, which he said has affected the livelihood of several farmers.
“As we speak, I know cocoa farmers that are putting themselves together to take the government on in court…” he said in an interview on Joy News monitored by Ghnewspage.com.
He continued that the cocoa farmers government’s decision to head to court is also a reaction to the government’s unilateral control over the cocoa trade which only allows the state to manage sales on behalf of the farmers.
These decisions, he added, must inure to the benefit the growers.
“I have my own land, my own money, I choose to put in cocoa farm, you have chosen to pass a law that restricts me from selling the cocoa the way I want and you want to sell on my behalf, it means that decisions that you take must inure to my benefit. If you begin to take decisions that will affect me negatively, I have to challenge that choice that you have made for me…,” he said.
Miracles Aboagye continued that the cocoa farmers are also heading to court to enforce a guarantee mechanism that the government has breached.
“There is also a guarantee mechanism which this government has breached. They are taking them to court, and that tells you how serious this particular situation is…,” he revealed.
Several cocoa farmers have protested the government’s decision to reduce the price of a bag of cocoa beans from GHC 3600 to GHC 2500.
The farmers have staged various demonstrations to register their disapproval.
Source: Ghnewspage.com
