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NDC Lied to Our Precious Cocoa Farmers

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Kwaku Bimpeh- Director of Communications, NPP UK

The Government of Ghana has officially reduced the cocoa producer price from GHS 3,600 to GHS 2,587 per bag.  Let us call this what it is: a betrayal.

During the 2024 election campaign, the NDC stood before cocoa farmers and promised GHS 6,000 per bag. That promise was not whispered. It was broadcast. It was repeated. It was weaponised politically to paint the previous government as uncaring and inadequate.

Today, instead of GHS 6,000, cocoa farmers are confronted with GHS 2,587.
That is not a shortfall.
That is not an adjustment.
That is a collapse of credibility.

The NDC simply lied to our cocoa farmers.

Cocoa Is the Backbone of Our Export Economy. Cocoa is not a marginal crop. It is one of Ghana’s most strategic economic pillars.
The cocoa sector contributes approximately 20–25 percent of Ghana’s total export earnings annually and generates between US$2 billion and US$3 billion in foreign exchange each year. More than 800,000 cocoa farming households depend directly on cocoa production, with over 2 million Ghanaians relying on the sector for survival.
Cocoa stabilises rural economies. It supports education, healthcare, and local enterprise. It strengthens Ghana’s foreign exchange position.
When cocoa suffers, Ghana suffers.

From Promise to Punishment

Even at GHS 3,600 per bag, farmers were already under pressure. Input costs have risen sharply. Fertiliser prices have climbed. Labour and transportation costs have increased. Farm maintenance requires continuous investment.
Now the price has been slashed to GHS 2,587.
This decision effectively punishes farmers for believing campaign promises.
It undermines their ability to reinvest. It weakens production sustainability. It sends a dangerous signal that political rhetoric can override economic responsibility.
You cannot campaign on GHS 6,000 and then turn around and deliver GHS 2,587 without destroying trust.

The Dangerous Drift Toward Galamsey

There are already credible reports that cocoa farmers, squeezed by falling incomes, are selling or leasing land to illegal mining operators.
When cocoa becomes unprofitable, desperation takes over.
Illegal mining destroys fertile farmland. It pollutes rivers. It erodes soil quality. It devastates long-term agricultural productivity.
If farmers are pushed toward galamsey because cocoa no longer pays, that is not a farmer failure, it is a policy failure.

If There Is a Crisis, Say So

If the government cannot sustain higher cocoa prices due to fiscal constraints, global market conditions, or financing challenges, then it must say so openly.
Leadership requires honesty.
Do not campaign on GHS 6,000 if you cannot deliver it.
Do not blame farmers for believing you.
Do not quietly retreat from promises without accountability.
Transparency is not optional. It is a duty.

Ghana’s Reputation Is at Stake

Ghana is the second-largest cocoa producer in the world. Our global standing has been built on decades of sacrifice by hardworking farmers.
Policy inconsistency damages investor confidence, weakens farmer morale, and threatens long-term production stability.
You cannot build a strong export economy on broken promises.

Cocoa Farmers Deserve Respect

Cocoa farmers are not statistics. They are not voting blocks to be courted and discarded. They are the backbone of our rural economy and custodians of a strategic national asset.
They deserve:
• Fair pricing
• Honest leadership
• Policy consistency
• Protection from economic hardship
Instead, they have received reduction and reversal.

As Director of Communications for NPP UK, I stand firmly in solidarity with cocoa farmers across Ghana.

They were promised prosperity.
They have received austerity.

Ghana must demand better.
And cocoa farmers deserve nothing less.

God bless Ghana and God bless our hard-working Cocoa farmers

The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party UK (NPP UK).

 By Kwaku Bimpeh- Director of Communications, NPP UK

 

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

 

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DRIP Coordinator outlines plans to improve accessibility challenges in Adansi Asokwa District

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Majeed Governor speaking to newsmen after site inspection at Aboabo No 2

The District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) Coordinator for Adansi Asokwa District in Ashanti, Mr. Majeed Governor, has embarked on an extensive road reconstruction and rehabilitation exercise aimed at improving accessibility, easing transportation challenges and accelerating development across the district.

Albert Dakora – DCE Adansi Asokwa

The project involves the construction of new virgin roads and the rehabilitation of severely deteriorated roads to provide proper layouts for communities within the district.

Speaking to newsmen during site inspection at Aboabo No 2 in the district, Majeed Governor said the ongoing road works are intended to ease the burden on residents, especially landowners and prospective homeowners who previously had to carry sand, stones and other building materials manually to construction sites due to absence of access roads.

“This initiative will give our people proper access to their lands and make development less stressful,” he said.

The DRIP Coordinator said the major focus of the project is improving access to healthcare to aid pregnant women in emergency cases.

A Bulldozer at work

He also said poor road conditions in the district have made transportation difficult with motor bikes being the only means of transport in many communities.

The Adansi Asokwa DCE, Mr. Albert Dakora, commended the DRIP Coordinator for the initiative describing it as a timely intervention that would significantly improve living conditions in the district.

“This project will bring great relief to the people in the district. Improved roads mean improved livelihoods, better access to healthcare and overall development,” the DCE added.

The Obaapanin of Aboabo No 2, Nana Ohu Akyiaa Boadu II and the Assemblyman, Mr. Asante Charles Owusu expressed their appreciation for the project noting that poor access roads have long been a major concern for women in labour particularly.

The Adansi Asokwa District shares boundaries with Obuasi, New Edubiase, Fomena, Akrofuom and parts of the Eastern Region, but has many years struggled with poor road infrastructure that has hampered movement and development.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, New Edubiase

 

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AGA Obuasi Mine Inspires Girls to Pursue STEM Careers

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Ing. Nana Yaw Nti, Engineering Manager at AGA addressing the Girls at the event

AGA Obuasi Mine, in partnership with GhIE-WInE, Underground Mining Alliance (UMA), and SGS, has inspired female students of Asare Bediako Senior High School to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as part of International Day for Women and Girls in Science celebrations.

Asare Bediako SHS students in a group picture

The empowerment session aimed to encourage young girls to develop interest in STEM disciplines and expose them to diverse career opportunities. Industry professionals and mentors shared their experiences, challenging students to overcome stereotypes and pursue careers in science and engineering.

Ing. Nana Yaw Nti Owusu-Adanse, Engineering Manager at AGA Obuasi Mine, encouraged students to take advantage of STEM education and strive for excellence. “Opportunities in STEM are vast and transformative. You must prepare yourselves, build competence, and compete confidently alongside your male counterparts,” he advised.

The event launched a Mentorship Programme for Girls in Science, providing structured guidance and support to female students pursuing STEM-related subjects.

The initiative aims to contribute to bridging the gender gap in science and technology fields.

 

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El-Rufai accuses NSA Ribadu of acquiring ‘dangerous toxic chemicals’ from Poland

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, under Nuhu Ribadu of procuring thallium sulphate, a highly toxic chemical compound, and has demanded urgent clarification over the alleged transaction.

El-Rufai made the allegation on Sunday in a post on X, where he shared a copy of a letter addressed to the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.

“As part of my duty as a citizen, I wrote to the NSA to seek clarification on reports about the importation by his office of thallium sulphate, a very dangerous toxin. It’s a matter of concern if anyone brings in any poison, more so an odourless, colourless one,” El-Rufai wrote on X.

In the letter, he said information available to opposition political leaders indicated that the ONSA had reportedly procured approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland.

Describing thallium salts as highly toxic and tightly controlled substances, El-Rufai said public safety, democratic accountability and trust in national institutions required immediate clarification.

He requested details on the intended purpose and end-use of the chemical, the identity of the supplier, and whether the importation was carried out under an existing chemical or defence permit.

El-Rufai also sought clarification on the total quantity and specific form or concentration procured, as well as storage and security arrangements upon arrival.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Benue Government Confirms Rescue of Nine Kidnapped Worshippers

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Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyancinth Alia

The Benue State Government has confirmed the rescue of nine worshippers who were abducted during a midnight prayer session at Saint John Catholic Church in the Ojije area of Utonkon community, Ado Local Government Area.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Solomon Iorpev, Governor Hyacinth Alia commended security operatives for their swift response.

The governor described the rescue as a “significant breakthrough.”

Alia assured residents that security agencies and local vigilante groups would continue to collaborate to combat kidnapping and prevent future incidents.

He also urged members of the public to provide timely information to help track down criminals.

Following the abduction and other attacks in Benue South, the governor convened a high-level security meeting on 13 February 2026 at the Palace of the Och’Idoma in Otukpo.

The meeting brought together the Idoma Traditional Council and top security officials, where he issued a directive for the immediate rescue of the victims.

Gunmen abducted the nine worshippers during a church vigil last Sunday, triggering fear across the community.

A former councillor representing Ukwuenyo Ward, Emmanuel Udah, confirmed the incident, describing it as “a targeted and planned crime against the Church,” and said residents were traumatised and increasingly fearful.

He called on authorities to strengthen security and address the recurring attacks, warning that communities felt abandoned despite repeated incidents.

Credit: channelstv.com

Death toll in northern Nigeria attack by gunmen rises to 46, says report

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Police respond to attack by gunmen

Gunmen on motorcycles have rampaged through three villages in northern Nigeria, killing at least 46 people and abducting several more, according to witnesses and local police.

The raids by gunmen happened in villages in the Borgu local government area in Niger State, on the border with Kwara and Katsina states, a humanitarian source told AFP news agency on Saturday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bloodiest attack happened in the village of Konkoso, where at least 38 people were shot dead or had their throats slit.

Most of the homes in the village were burned down and apart from those already counted as dead, “other bodies are being recovered,” the source added.

A resident of Konkoso told AFP the gunmen first attacked the nearby village of Tungar Makeri before heading to his village.

The raids come amid a complex security crisis in northern Nigeria, featuring armed groups affiliated with ISIL (ISIS) as well as gangs that abduct people for ransom money.

Wasiu Abiodun, ‌the Niger State police spokesperson, confirmed the attack in one of the villages.

“Suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village,” he said. “Six persons lost their lives, some houses were also set ablaze, and a yet-to-be ascertained number of persons were abducted.”

He added that the assailants moved on to Konkoso village, while details of other attacks remained unclear.

Jeremiah Timothy, a resident of Konkoso, told the Reuters news agency the ⁠attackers entered the village around 6am (05:00 GMT) on Saturday, shooting indiscriminately. He said residents heard military jets flying overhead.

“They were operating freely without the presence of any security,” Abdullahi Adamu, another resident of Konkoso, told The Associated Press news agency.

The border between Niger and Kwara states is home to the Kainji Forest, a known haven for bandits and fighters, including from the armed group Boko Haram.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Nigeria backs AU reforms, pushes for stronger democratic governance

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Vice President Kashim Shettima at the AU Ordinary Session

Nigeria has endorsed the proposed institutional reforms of the African Union (AU), throwing its weight behind measures aimed at strengthening peace and security governance on the continent.

The endorsement was presented on Saturday by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the closed session of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

”Nigeria has endorsed the proposed institutional reforms in the African Union with a focus on peace and security governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring stronger cooperation with international financial institutions and the private sector,” he said.

Shettima also cited deepening democratic institutions and fostering stronger collaboration with international financial institutions and the private sector as a necessity for Africa to become competitive.

The key restructuring proposals are designed to enhance domestic and regional resource mobilisation, with a view to securing affordable and sustainable development financing across the continent.

The reforms also advocate the adoption of a continental framework to reduce inequality, anchored on credible data systems, strengthened social protection mechanisms, the creation of productive jobs, and inclusive industrial policies.

According to the Vice President, reinforcing governance structures within the AU is critical to addressing persistent security challenges and promoting democratic stability across member states.

He also emphasised the importance of building resilient institutions capable of responding effectively to emerging threats while advancing economic transformation.

Shettima further underscored the need for stronger partnerships between African governments, global financial institutions, and the private sector to unlock investment opportunities and accelerate inclusive growth.

Credit: channelstv.com

Road altercation turns violent at Accra Newtown

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

A 40-year-old car wash attendant, Ibrahim Seidu, popularly known as Ibro, has appeared before the Circuit Court at Dansoman over an incident in which he allegedly bit off part of an okada rider’s ear during a confrontation.

Ibrahim Seidu pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing harm when he was arraigned before the court, presided over by Her Ladyship Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Bassit.

He was granted bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with two sureties, both of whom must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. One of the sureties is required to be justified.

As part of his bail conditions, Ibrahim Seidu is to report to the police once every two weeks, until the court directs otherwise.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, was ordered to file all disclosures and witness statements ahead of the Case Management Conference (CMC), scheduled for March 11, 2026.

According to the prosecution, the complainant, Abdul Rashid Abubakar, an okada rider, who resides at Alajo, was riding his motorbike along Timber Market Road, at Accra Newtown, on January 28, 2026.

Upon reaching the four-way intersection at College Junction, Ibrahim Seidu, who was also on a motorbike, allegedly veered into Abubakar’s lane at top speed, nearly causing a collision.

The prosecution said the near-miss triggered a heated exchange of words, during which both men allegedly insulted each other.

Ibrahim Seidu is accused of dismounting from his motorbike and punching the complainant, resulting in a scuffle.

Before bystanders could intervene, Ibrahim Seidu allegedly bit off the complainant’s left ear. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, and a medical form was issued to the victim for treatment.

Police investigations led to Ibrahim Seidu’s arrest. Prosecutors told the court that he admitted the offence during investigations, after which he was charged and put before the court.

Trader Charged with Threat of Death

In a separate case, a 45-year-old trader, Francis Adade, has been granted bail by the Circuit Court over allegations that he threatened to kill a fellow trader at Kaneshie.

Francis Adade pleaded not guilty to a charge of threat of death. The court admitted him to bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with two sureties.

He was also ordered to deposit his Ghana Card at the court registry and report to the police once every two weeks until further notice.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko, was directed to file all disclosures and witness statements. The case has been adjourned to March 25, 2026.

Prosecution facts indicate that the complainant, Joan Adu Darko, is a trader residing at Kasoa Domiabra, while Adade resides at Fadama. Both are said to trade in hardware items at Kaneshie-Pamprom.

The court heard that Adade operates on the pavement in front of the complainant’s shop, a situation that allegedly created tension between the two.

On December 26, 2025, a witness reportedly informed the complainant that Adade had called her a witch and threatened that in the New Year he would buy a “knockout” and ignite it in her shop to kill her.

The incident was reported to the police, leading to Francis Adade’s arrest and subsequent charge before the court.

 

 

 

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Driver sentenced to Bond for causing harm

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Dansoman Circuit Court

The Dansoman Circuit Court has sentenced a 27-year-old driver, Abass Mumuni, to a two-year bond of good behaviour after he pleaded guilty to causing harm.

Presiding over the case, Her Ladyship Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Bassit, a High Court judge, sitting with additional responsibility at the lower court, took into account the accused’s plea of guilty simpliciter, his remorse and the fact that he refunded the victim’s medical expenses.

The court also noted that Abass Mumuni had been remanded twice into police custody during the proceedings. He was consequently sentenced to a bond of good behaviour for two years.

Abass Mumuni was charged with causing harm, contrary to Section 69 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Presenting the facts, Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder told the court that the complainant, George Owusu, is a Bus Conductor residing at Darkuman, while Abass Mumuni resides at Circle.

On December 24, 2025 the two men reportedly had a misunderstanding over a stick of cigarette at Circle.

During the altercation, Abass Mumuni pushed George Owusu to the ground and while he was lying on the floor, struck him beneath the right eye with a mop stick, causing him to bleed profusely.

The prosecution said Abass Mumuni admitted the offence in his caution statement during investigations.

He was subsequently charged and arraigned before the court.

In a related development, the same court granted bail to a 25-year-old unemployed woman, Blessing Favour, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing harm.

She was granted bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with two sureties, both of whom must be residents within the court’s jurisdiction.

The accused was also ordered to report to the police once every two weeks until further notice.

The court directed the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye, to file its disclosures for Case Management Conference (CMC).

The case was adjourned to March 19, 2026.

Brief Facts

Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye told the court that the complainant, Osei Kwame, is a businessman residing at Railways –Neoplan. The accused also resides at Railways–Neoplan.

According to the prosecution, the accused had a misunderstanding with the complainant’s girlfriend on the day of the incident.

Later, when the complainant confronted her over the matter, an argument ensued, during which Blessing Favour allegedly picked up a stone and struck the complainant near his left eye, causing severe bleeding.

The prosecution said the accused admitted the offence in her caution statement, following her arrest and was subsequently charged and brought before the court.

 

 

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Trader in court for wearing military uniform to impress nurse

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

A 34-year-old trader, Baada Joseph, who operates at Agbogloshie, in Accra, has appeared before the Adabraka District Court for allegedly wearing a Ghana Armed Forces camouflage uniform without lawful authority.

Baada Joseph was arraigned on two counts — use of military accoutrement without lawful authority and falsely pretending to be a public officer. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The court granted him bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with two sureties. The case has been adjourned to March 24, 2026.

Presenting the brief facts, Chief Inspector Apewah Achana told the court that the complainant, WO1 Fiamegu Mascow, of the Military Police Department at Burma Camp, Accra, spotted the accused at about 6pm on February 8, 2026, at the Dispensary gate of the 37 Military Hospital.

According to the prosecution, Baada Joseph was seen dressed in a military camouflage uniform worn over a pair of easy-wear slippers.

The uniform reportedly lacked essential military identifiers such as rank, name tag, lanyard and shoulder badge, raising suspicion.

Chief Inspector Achana said the complainant confronted Baada Joseph and it emerged that he was a civilian and not a soldier as his attire suggested.

He was subsequently arrested and taken to the Military Police Headquarters at Burma Camp for interrogation, before being handed over to the Nima Divisional Police Command, where the case was formally lodged.

During investigations, the prosecution said Baada Joseph admitted in his caution statement that he wore the uniform in an attempt to impress a female nurse he had met at the hospital.

He reportedly told investigators that he had fallen in love with the nurse and wanted to present himself as a soldier to win her affection.

He further disclosed that he purchased the camouflage outfit from a second-hand clothing dealer at Kantamanto Market.

Baada Joseph was later charged and brought before the court.

 

 

 

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