Africa-Press – Ghana. The National Democratic Congress Majority Caucus in Parliament Wednesday reacted to the New Patriotic Party Minority’s concerns over the recent increase in cocoa prices, describing the move as a significant boost to farmers’ livelihoods.
The government has announced a 62.58 per cent increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season, setting it at $5,040 per tonne, aligning with President John Mahama’s promise to pay cocoa farmers 70 per cent of the Free-On-Board (FOB) value.
“We welcome the government’s decision to increase the producer price of cocoa, which will undoubtedly improve the livelihoods of our farmers,” said Dr. Eric Afful, Chairperson of the Economy, and Development Committee of Parliament, at a press conference in Parliament House for a section of the media.
He said, “This move demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.”
Dr. Afful, who spoke on behalf of the Majority Caucus also highlighted the government’s additional initiatives to support cocoa farmers, including the reintroduction of the free cocoa fertilizer program, a Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for children of cocoa farmers, and a new Cocoa Traceability System to ensure compliance with European Union Deforestation Regulations.
According to him, “The minority’s skepticism is unfounded, as this increase will have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of cocoa farmers,” he added. Dr. Afful, also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi West, urged Ghanaians to support this initiative and work together to boost the country’s cocoa industry, adding that
The increase in cocoa prices was expected to boost farmers’ incomes, allowing them to invest in fertilizers, pruning tools, pest control, and modernized methods of cocoa farming, leading to higher yields per hectare and improving Ghana’s cocoa output in the medium to long term.
On Tuesday, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament expressed outrage over the recently announced farm gate price of GH₵3,228.75 per 64 kg bag of cocoa, calling it “ridiculous,” “absurd,” “shameful,” and “unfair.”
The Caucus argued that the price was too low and did not reflect the current world market price of $8,211.23 per tonne.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps in Parliament House, Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, the Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs Committee in Parliament, claimed the government’s calculation was flawed, and the price should be GH₵3,718 per bag based on current market prices and exchange rates.
He questioned the government’s transparency in handling the cocoa industry, particularly regarding revenue ge
Dr. Opoku, also the NPP MP for Offinso South, demanded that Mr. Eric Okoku, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, should apologize for his alleged failed promise of GH₵6,000 per bag.
“We urge an immediate review of the price to motivate farmers and prevent issues like galamsey,” he said.
The Caucus also urged the government to protect the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and maintain Ghana’s position in the industry.
“Our concerns highlight the need for fair pricing, transparency, and accountability in the cocoa industry. By addressing these issues, the government can help ensure the well-being of cocoa farmers and the industry’s future,” Dr. Opoku stated.
The government has increased the price of cocoa beans paid to cocoa farmers from GH¢49,600 per tonne to GH¢51,660 per tonne, with a target to pursue about 650,000 tonnes for the 2025/2026 cocoa year.
The increment represents GH¢3,228.75 per bag of 64-kilogram gross weight of cocoa.
This was announced by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, at a press conference in Accra on Monday, August 4, 2025.
This increase in the producer price, he said, represented 70 per cent of the gross Free-On-Board (FOB) value of $7,200 per tonne, adding that the increment was coming on the back of a strong Ghana cedi and declining inflation, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of our cocoa farmers.
The decision was taken by the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), chaired by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Forson, ahead of the new cocoa season, which opens on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
“It is instructive to note that the government has by this decision increased the producer price significantly by 62.58 per cent in US$ terms,” the minister said.
In comparison, the previous NPP administration set the FOB value at US$4,850 per tonne for the 2024/25 season and the producer price at US$3,100, which represented 63.9 per cent of the FOB—despite better global market prices at the time.
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