{"id":4122,"date":"2019-10-03T13:06:03","date_gmt":"2019-10-03T13:06:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.com\/ghana\/?p=4122"},"modified":"2019-10-03T13:06:03","modified_gmt":"2019-10-03T13:06:03","slug":"ndc-wouldve-increased-cocoa-price-to-ghc800-per-bag-eric-opoku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/ghana\/all-news\/ndc-wouldve-increased-cocoa-price-to-ghc800-per-bag-eric-opoku","title":{"rendered":"NDC WOULD’VE INCREASED COCOA PRICE TO GHC800 PER BAG \u2013 ERIC OPOKU"},"content":{"rendered":"

The National Democratic Congress(NDC) says it would have increased cocoa prices to 800 Ghana cedis\u00a0if they were in power.<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to them, the current cocoa price does not merit the quality of cocoa produced in Ghana, coupled with the hardwork cocoa farmers put in making sure that we get the best out of their produce.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking on\u00a0https:\/\/www.africa-press.com\/ghana\/ ‘Ade Akye Abia’ programme, minority spokesperson on Agric and Member of Parliament for Asunafo South constituency, Eric Opoku explained that government has failed to fight for a fair price for the poor cocoa farmer.<\/p>\n

He added that since government assumed office in 2017, no pesewa has been added to the price of cocoa in almost 3 years.<\/p>\n

This paltry increment according to him is a slap on the face of cocoa farmers.<\/p>\n

The government has announced an increase in cocoa producer price by more than 8 percent for the next crop season.<\/p>\n

This means that a 64-kilo bag would now be sold at GH\u00a2515, while a tone would go for GH\u00a28,249.<\/p>\n

The Minister of State in-charge of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Nura Jara disclosed this at the World International Cocoa Day celebration in Sunyani on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

In April this year, COCOBOD maintained the producer price of cocoa despite suggestions by the IMF to review it downwards.<\/p>\n

The IMF wanted COCOBOD to review the producer price of cocoa downwards to reflect changes in international cocoa prices.<\/p>\n

Before the commencement of a cocoa season, mostly in October every year, COCOBOD normally announces a farmgate price \u2013 the producer price \u2013 that it will pay to farmers for their beans in the crop season.<\/p>\n

That price was last increased by 11.76 percent in October 2016 to cover the 2016\/2017 season. Since then, it has remained unchanged at GH\u00a27,600 per tonne, translating into GH\u00a2475 per bag of 64 kilograms (kg) gross weight.<\/p>\n

Watch interview below<\/p>\n