Africa-Press – Ghana. The Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly criticised government’s decision to slash the producer price of cocoa from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587, describing the move as “unprecedented and a betrayal of Ghanaian cocoa farmers.”
Dr Eric Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, speaking on behalf of the Caucus, said expectations were high when President John Dramani Mahama convened an emergency cabinet meeting, with many anticipating relief measures for cocoa farmers.
Instead, he noted, government announced a reduction in the producer price by more than GH¢1,000 per 64-kilogramme bag.
“This has never ever happened in the country. Cocoa farmers have never enjoyed the full benefit of the Free on Board (FOB) price. Sometimes they are paid as little as 40 per cent. Cocoa farmers have sacrificed for this country,” Dr Opoku stated.
He recalled that in the run-up to the December 2024 elections, leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including the current Finance Minister and Agriculture Minister, pledged that if elected, they would pay a minimum of GH¢6,000 per bag of cocoa. He added that the party’s manifesto also promised operationalisation of the cocoa pension scheme and improved healthcare for farmers.
Dr Opoku further pointed out that when the NPP government under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was paying GH¢3,100, the then opposition described the price as a “cheat” and labelled the government “wicked.” The current administration, he said, initially increased the price to GH¢3,225 and later to GH¢3,625, before the latest reduction.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced payment of arrears owed Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) alongside the new producer price of GH¢2,587 per bag, effective February 12, 2026.
The announcement has triggered sharp reactions, with stakeholders warning of dire consequences for farmer livelihoods and the sustainability of the cocoa sector.
