Africa-Press – Ghana. Cocoa farmers in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region have expressed dissatisfaction with the newly announced cocoa producer price of GH¢2,587.00 per 64kg bag.
The Government, through Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, on February 12, 2026, announced a reduction in the cocoa producer price from GHS3,625.00 to GHS2,587.00, attributing the decision to a decline in world market prices.
However, farmers who spoke in separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) described the reduction as unfair and untimely, insisting that the previous price should at least have been maintained.
Mr Bright Ankamah, an Assemblyman and cocoa farmer at Pampawie in the Kadjebi District, said farmers in his electoral area were deeply worried about the new price.
“Farmers in my area are disturbed by the new cocoa price. This is something we have never experienced before,” he said.
Mr Ankamah noted that several young people in the area had ventured into cocoa farming as their main source of livelihood and warned that the sharp reduction in prices could discourage them.
He further revealed that cocoa beans purchased since November 2025 had not yet been paid for, compounding the farmers’ frustrations.
“What is the encouragement for the youth who are into cocoa farming?” He asked, urging the Government to expedite payment of outstanding arrears to enable farmers to settle their debts.
Mr Richard Wodzra, a cocoa farmer at Dodo-Amanfrom, also criticised the reduction, arguing that “The new cocoa price is not good. Labour and agrochemical prices have gone up significantly, so why slash cocoa prices?”
Mr Wodzra disclosed that he had supplied 176 bags of cocoa beans since November 2025 but had not been paid.
He said the delay in payment had made it difficult for him to cater for his family and pay his children’s school fees.
He rejected the explanation that the reduction was due to falling world market prices, insisting that producer prices were not always adjusted upward when international prices increased.
Mr Tsadenu Mutakilu, a farmer at Butabe in the district, shared similar sentiments.
He told that the then opposition party had promised cocoa farmers a producer price of GHS6,000.00 per bag during the 2024 electioneering campaign.
“Based on that promise, we voted them into power. Now they have reduced the price instead. We feel deceived,” he said.
Mr Tsadenu, also an Assemblyman for Obuase/Butabe Electoral Area, maintained that if any adjustment was to be made, the previous price of GHS3,625.00 per 64kg bag should have been maintained rather than a drastic reduced.
The farmers collectively appealed to the Government to reconsider the new producer price and ensure prompt payment of outstanding monies to sustain their livelihoods and keep the youth interested in cocoa production.
