The distribution of free cocoa fertiliser to farmers in the Bia West Constituency of the Western North Region has been suspended following allegations of political bias in the exercise.
The NDC Constituency Chairman for Bia West, Ahmed Ibrahim, directed officers of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) to halt the distribution, accusing them of selectively allocating the fertiliser to farmers based on their political affiliations.
Speaking to the media at Debiso, Ahmed alleged that some farmers perceived to be supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) were being prioritised in the exercise.
He insisted that the government’s free fertiliser programme was intended for eligible cocoa farmers regardless of their political background.
According to him, the alleged selective distribution could deny some farmers their share of the input and undermine the purpose of the programme.
The chairman said he had therefore intervened to stop the exercise until the concerns were addressed.
The distribution had begun in Oseikojokrom and surrounding communities, but the suspension has left several farmers uncertain about when they will receive their fertiliser.
The development has since triggered a political dispute in the constituency, with the NPP challenging the decision to halt the exercise.
The NPP Bia West Communication Officer, Kwame Sarfo Reuben, described the chairman’s action as unfair and called on farmers to oppose what he described as an unnecessary interference in the distribution process.
He also issued a three-day ultimatum to the NDC chairman and CHED officials to address the concerns surrounding the exercise.
The two sides have consequently been drawn into a dispute over the management of the fertiliser distribution, with farmers caught in the middle as they await clarity on when the exercise will resume.
