“Cedi Appreciation Against the Dollar Has Affected Ghanaians in Rural Areas; Cocoa Price Cut Is an ‘Abomination’ – John Boadu
John Boadu Blames Cedi Appreciation and Cocoa Price Cuts for Rural Hardship, Criticises Government Contracts
- John Boadu says the appreciation of the cedi against the dollar has hurt farmers and rural communities
- He described the reduction in cocoa prices as unprecedented and an “abomination,”
- Boadu criticised the NDC government’s “Big Push” programme and contract awards
National Chairman hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former General Secretary, John Boadu, has criticised the impact of the cedi’s appreciation against the US dollar, arguing that it is negatively affecting livelihoods in rural communities.
Speaking in an interview with Kwame Tanko on the Ghana Se Sen Show on Monday, March 30, 2026, Mr. Boadu stated that although the strengthening of the cedi may benefit some sectors, it is hurting others particularly farmers and rural dwellers.
“It is true the dollar has reduced, but when that happens, some people benefit while others suffer. In the rural areas, the effect has been severe, and it is destroying businesses,” he said.
He maintained that farmers in rural communities are bearing the brunt of the situation, warning that the current economic conditions could influence voter sentiment if elections were held today.
Mr. Boadu also took a swipe at the National Democratic Congress (NDC), noting that while the government touts the reduction in the dollar as an achievement, it fails to acknowledge the negative consequences on certain sectors of the economy.
Touching on the cocoa sector, he described the reduction in cocoa prices as unprecedented and unacceptable.
“For the first time in our history—from the era of early trade to the time of Tetteh Quarshie—we are seeing a reduction in cocoa prices. This is an abomination,” he stressed, adding that cocoa farmers are deeply concerned about their livelihoods.
The former NPP General Secretary further criticised the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme, alleging irregularities in the award of contracts. He claimed that some contracts were awarded under questionable circumstances, including one reportedly issued on a Sunday.
“If a contract is awarded on a day that is not even a working day, then it raises serious concerns. That is fraud,” he alleged.
Mr. Boadu described the initiative as a “big steal” rather than a development programme, accusing the government of mismanaging public resources.
He also questioned the scale of contracts being awarded, suggesting that only top-tier contractors should qualify for such high-value deals, while raising concerns about transparency in the process.
Additionally, he claimed that the government has borrowed GH₵17 billion to pay workers, further criticising its economic management approach.
Despite acknowledging that President John Mahama is making efforts, Mr. Boadu insisted that the negatives outweigh the positives.
