GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
The Minority in Parliament has criticised the government’s decision to reduce the cocoa producer price, describing the move as unfair to farmers and harmful to the cocoa sector.
Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, speaking to the media on Thursday, February 12, expressed outrage over the reduction from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag — a drop of more than GH¢1,000 per bag.
“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 if cocoa farmers are expected to absorb a nearly 30 percent reduction in their income, then 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 criticism follows the government’s announcement that the producer price has been reduced from GH¢51,660 to GH¢41,392 per tonne for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season. Government officials say the measure is intended to stabilise the cocoa sector amid prevailing financial and market pressures.
