The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticized the government’s latest cocoa producer price of GHC 3,228 per bag, calling it “ridiculous” and “a stab in the back” of cocoa farmers. According to the Minority, this price is not only unfair but also a betrayal of the farmers’ hard work.
The government recently announced an increase in the producer price from US$3,100 per tonne to US$5,040 per tonne, effective August 7, 2025. However, the Minority argues that this translates to a meager 4.2% increase, which is far from sufficient. They point out that cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast receive higher prices, with the equivalent of GHC 3,635 per bag, making Ghana’s price even more unacceptable.
The Minority Caucus is urging the government to review the price immediately, warning that the current rate may lead to cocoa smuggling and encourage farmers to engage with illegal miners (galamsey operators) due to financial struggles. They also questioned the government’s promise to pay farmers at least 70% of the world market price, made by President John Dramani Mahama, and demanded that this promise be fulfilled.
Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member of the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, emphasized that cocoa farmers deserve better treatment and fair compensation for their hard work. “They cannot be taken for granted all the time. The deception must stop,” he stressed.
