President of policy think tank, IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe has indicated that he would wholeheartedly support the smuggling of cocoa from Ghana to Ivory Coast on any day.
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I will support smuggling to Ivory Coast on any day – Franklin Cudjoe
According to him, Ghanaian cocoa farmers have been cheated for so long a time that it sometimes become frustrating for these farmers.
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Government has increased the price at which it will purchase a tonne of cocoa from farmers by 21 percent. A tonne of cocoa will now be sold at 6,720 Ghana cedis from 5,520, while a 64 kilo bag of cocoa will be sold at 420 Ghana cedis. The increase is attributed to favorable prices of cocoa on the international market.
Farmers will also be getting 5 Ghana cedis as bonus for every 64 kilo bag of cocoa sold. Government in consultation with stakeholders, has also set up a stabilization fund with annual contribution from the FOB price (Freight on Board) as a risk mitigating mechanism against declines in the international cocoa prices.
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Mr Cudjoe answering whether the move is what the nation needs on Citi FM’s said, “If you work, you get paid and especially for farmers in that particular sector, this is a cash crop and it’s a future’s market as well. We tend to raise money and then appear to treat cocoa farmers as if they do not matter. I’ve heard most of them complain that their neighbours in Ivory Coast are paid realistic prices – reason for which I would support smuggling to Ivory Coast any day.”
When show host, Dela Sky asked how patriotic that would be, the IMANI boss replied, “It’s not about patriotism. It’s not really fair that farmers will be given prices for their produce that obviously are lower than what their neighbours are getting. If I were selling a produce and I realise that someone is using price control to keep me out of business, presumably, I have to find an alternative market. I can understand that the borders are there, but you forced me to do that.”
“So much as I agree that it bothers probably on being patriotic, patriotism does not put food on the table especially being patriotic for no reason; In this case when you are being subjected to economic tyranny. I am not advocating [for smuggling]. There are times farmers burnt their cocoa farms. The issue has to be dealt with properly. There are cocoa farmers who are turning their cocoa farms into growing other crops… choosing between burning cocoa farms and actually selling it across the borders, which one would you prefer? Because when you burn, you can actually burn adjacent lands, he noted.
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