Help government stamp out fertilizer smuggling - Akufo-Addo to farmers

President Akufo-Addo has made a passionate appeal to Cocoa, Sheanut and Coffee farmers of Ghana to assist government in its efforts to stamp out the smuggling of taxpayers subsided fertilizer meant to help Ghanaian farmers improve their yield.

Addressing the leadership of the Association of Cocoa, Sheanut and Coffee farmers of Ghana at the Jubilee House when they paid a courtesy call on him, President Akufo said, government takes “the tax Payers money to subsidy fertilizer imports, it is therefore not correct that a few people for their selfish interests would then take this which has been subsided by the hardworking sweat of the Ghanaian farmers and go and smuggle it to Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire”.

“I want you to help me stamp out smuggling of fertilizer in our country” President Akufo Addo appealed to the farmers.

In their address, spokesperson for the association, Alhaji Imoro Issifu, registered their sincere appreciation to the President for his refusal to reduce Cocoa producer prices in spite of the fall of prices on the international market. They indicated that the introduction of the Free Senior High School programme (Free SHS) of government has saved farmers a lot of money as they have not had to pay school fees the last two years.

On the issue of Galamsey, the farmers observed that though it has been fought strongly by government, it is still going in some areas in the country. They urged government and operation Vanguard to continue the fight in order to save farmers who are the hardest hit by the activities of Illegal miners.

A Shea Sector Policy document according to the farmers is long over due. In addition to all efforts on the part of the Cocobod to improve the Shea Sector, they called on the President to initiate legislation in order to pass into law a Shea Development Strategy to help regulate the sector.

The farmers noted that some six years ago, they made a request to Cocobod for solar lights, solar lamps and mosquito nets, to assist farmers in their activities. However, their request has not been granted yet. They appealed to the President to find a way to supply them with these item which will go a long to motivate farmers and serve as a welcomed incentive to farmers. The farmers were full of praise for the Chief Executive Officer of the Cocobod, Joseph Boahen Adu, for his continued presence on the field monitoring and making sure that government interventions yield the required results.

President Akufo Addo, welcomed the suggestions, and concerns of the Cocoa, Sheanut and Coffee farmers assuring them that he stands by them wholeheartedly and will ensure that their concerns are given all the timely attention it deserves by his administration. He urged them to stick strictly to their rules and regulations when it comes to the choosing of their leaders and to avoid any form of strive and contentions.

“You hold the Country together as farmers and therefore any confusion amongst you can negatively affect the entire country. I plead with you to abide by the dictates of your constitution at all material times” President Akufo Addo said.