The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to suspend plans to acquire a new presidential jet and four helicopters, arguing that the move is ill-timed given the challenges facing cocoa farmers across the country.

Their concerns follow remarks by the Executive Secretary to President John Dramani Mahama indicating that Ghana could acquire additional aircraft for presidential travel by November 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s aviation capacity. 

However, the Minority believes the plan represents a misplaced priority at a time when cocoa farmers are grappling with delayed payments and reduced producer prices.

Speaking at Asante Akyem Ofoase during an engagement with cocoa farmers, the Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, questioned the government’s spending priorities. 

He argued that cocoa farmers, who play a crucial role in Ghana’s economy, should not be left struggling while the state considers major expenditure on presidential aircraft. 

“If you can borrow money to buy a jet but cannot borrow to pay cocoa farmers, then during election time the jet will go and vote for you,” he said.

Mr Annoh-Dompreh further criticised the government for what he described as a failure to honour campaign promises to farmers. 

He noted that the reduction in cocoa prices and delays in payments had dealt a heavy blow to cocoa producers nationwide, and pledged that the Minority would continue to push for measures to address the crisis.

Meanwhile, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Isaac Yaw Opoku, alleged that the government may further reduce cocoa prices. 

He described as unfair the recent 28.6 per cent reduction in the producer price — from ¢3,625 to ¢2,587 per bag — and urged farmers to demand better treatment.

During the interaction, farmers from Dannso and Asante Akyem Ofoase in the Bosome Freho and Asante Akyem South districts of the Ashanti Region also voiced strong opposition to the price cut. 

They argued that the new price barely covers the rising costs of labour, fertiliser and transportation, and warned that the situation could severely undermine their livelihoods.

The farmers also expressed frustration over delayed payments and what they described as a contradiction of assurances given ahead of the 2024 general elections. 

Some hinted at plans to organise protests if the government fails to reverse the decision and restore the previous cocoa price.

The Minority Caucus has begun a five-day tour of cocoa-growing communities in the Ashanti Region to engage farmers on the issue. 

The delegation, led by Mr. Annoh-Dompreh, includes Offinso South MP Isaac Yaw Opoku, Asokwa MP Patricia Appiah Agyei, Bosome Freho MP Nana Asafo Agyei Ayeh, Atwima Mponua MP Seth Osei Akoto, Afigya Kwabre South MP Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam and Effiduase-Asokore MP Ayew Afriyie.