The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the government’s decision to reduce the cocoa producer price for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season, describing the move as unfair to farmers and harmful to the sector.
Government, through the Finance Minister, announced a reduction in the producer price from GH¢51,660 to GH¢41,392 per tonne, translating to a drop from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag.
Officials maintain that the adjustment is aimed at stabilising the cocoa sector amid mounting financial pressures.
However, addressing a press conference on Thursday, February 12, the Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, expressed outrage over the decision, noting that the more than GH¢1,000 reduction per bag is unprecedented.
“This has never happened. Why are we treating cocoa farmers this way? The cocoa farmer has never enjoyed the full benefit of the FOB price. Cocoa farmers have sacrificed for this country,” Dr Opoku said.
He argued that the sharp cut, which represents nearly a 30 per cent reduction in farmgate prices, places an excessive burden on farmers who are already grappling with rising production costs and economic uncertainty.
Dr Opoku further demanded that if cocoa farmers are expected to absorb such a significant reduction in income, similar measures should apply across the public sector.
“If the cocoa farmer’s price is going to be reduced by almost 30 per cent, then everybody’s pay in this country should also be slashed by that margin. Is the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD’s salary and allowance going to be reduced by the same margin? Today is a sad day for the country. The President should come again. Cocoa farmers deserve better,” he stated.
The Minority insists the government must urgently review the directive to prevent further strain on cocoa farmers, who remain central to Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings and agricultural economy.
