Mr Benjamin Osei Kufuor, Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo North, at the weekend hailed the increase in the producer price of cocoa, describing the government measure as "keeping faith with cocoa farmers and rural dwellers."

He told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Goaso that the government's "words and actions over the past nine months have indicated that rural development is the cornerstone of its economic development agenda."

"The increase in the producer price of the 'golden pod' twice within 10 months in office is a clear testimony of the government's commitment to transform the lives of the rural populace to an appreciable level."

Mr. Osei Kufuor said the increases show a positive sign for agricultural development and urged others farmers outside the cocoa industry to take it as an indication of "good things" to come.

Any country with a progressive and successful agricultural sector attains successful economic development, he added.

The MP gave the assurance that the government would support all operators in the agricultural sector in efforts to strengthen the economy to lift the people from poverty.