Majority alleges NPP government misused $600m meant to boost cocoa production

The Majority in Parliament has accused the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration of failing to utilise a $600 million African Development Bank (AfDB) facility for its intended purpose, alleging that the funds earmarked to transform Ghana's cocoa sector did not achieve the objectives approved by Parliament.

The allegation was made during parliamentary debate on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, with Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor claiming that the previous administration failed to deliver on key interventions designed to boost cocoa production and improve the industry's productivity.

According to Mr. Dafeamekpor, the AfDB facility was approved by Parliament to finance a comprehensive programme aimed at revitalising Ghana's cocoa sector.

He said the funding was intended to support the expansion of cocoa farms, the planting of new cocoa trees, land surveys, warehouse construction and other productivity-enhancing interventions to increase national cocoa output.

"The NPP government, led by the Majority Leader at the time and the Leader of Government Business, came to this House to secure $600 million from the African Development Bank. The purpose was to expand cocoa farms, plant new trees, survey the farms, build warehouses and increase yield. It wasn't done," he told Parliament.

Mr. Dafeamekpor alleged that the failure to implement the programme contributed significantly to the sharp decline in Ghana's cocoa production in recent years.

According to him, annual cocoa output dropped dramatically from about one million metric tonnes to approximately 450,000 metric tonnes by the end of 2024.

"At the end of 2024 in December, our cocoa yield plummeted from one million metric tonnes a year to 450,000," he claimed.

He argued that the reduction in cocoa production had serious consequences for Ghana's economy, particularly for farmers, exporters and businesses operating throughout the cocoa value chain.

The Majority Chief Whip further contended that the decline in cocoa production translated into fewer employment opportunities and significant losses for businesses connected to the sector.

He said the reduced output weakened activities across the cocoa supply chain, affecting transporters, warehouse operators, processors and other stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on the industry.

"People lost jobs, jobs were not created. In the supply chain, a lot of businesses lost out. They chopped the money," he alleged.

The allegations were made during Parliament's consideration of the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, which the government has presented as a flagship initiative to boost industrial production, expand exports and create sustainable employment.

The programme is expected to strengthen key export sectors, including agriculture and agro-processing, by encouraging round-the-clock production, increasing value addition and improving Ghana's competitiveness in international markets.

The former NPP administration has not yet publicly responded to the allegations made by the Majority Chief Whip during the parliamentary debate.