Former CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Parliamentary Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Zebilla Constituency, Dr John Kingsley Krugu, has strongly criticised the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the government for what he described as an “insult” to cocoa farmers, following the recent 4.07% increment in the price of a 64kg bag of cocoa.

Speaking on A1 Radio’s morning show, Dr Krugu questioned the justification for such a marginal increase, especially when it was attributed to the appreciation of the Ghana cedi.

He noted, “Now, none of the ministers, nor the CEO of COCOBOD, has decided to say they will take half of their salaries because the cedi has appreciated.”

Dr Krugu singled out Randy Abbey, CEO of COCOBOD, alleging that he earned over GH¢70,000 monthly yet saw no pay cut, while cocoa farmers received only GH¢128 more per bag, a figure he described as “simply a debt to the farmer”.

“The cost of labour, inputs, and transportation has significantly increased. It takes more than GH¢128 to produce a single bag of cocoa,” he lamented. “This is unjustifiable. It is completely an insult to the cocoa farmers in this country.”

He further criticised the government for not fulfilling its own promise to raise cocoa prices to GH¢6,000 per tonne.

“They are still in power. Seven months down the line, where is the GH¢6,000?” he asked.

Dr Krugu, who also owns a cocoa farm, warned that farmers were increasingly vulnerable to illegal mining companies offering to buy their lands.

“Mining companies are cutting down cocoa farms. Farmers are being forced to trade long-term livelihood for quick money because they are not being supported,” he added.

Calling for urgent reforms, Dr Krugu emphasised the importance of protecting cocoa farmers and ensuring fair compensation.

“What is the existence of COCOBOD without cocoa farmers?” he questioned.

The former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) boss described the government’s approach as “taking advantage of goodwill” and warned that such disregard for farmers' welfare would backfire, urging for accountability and justice for those who sustain the backbone of Ghana’s economy.