The Minority Members of Parliament on the Agriculture Committee are demanding an immediate increase in the cocoa producer price, accusing the John Mahama administration of turning its back on farmers despite improved global market conditions
The Minority Members of Parliament on the Agriculture Committee are demanding an immediate increase in the cocoa producer price, accusing the John Mahama administration of turning its back on farmers despite improved global market conditions.
The call comes on the back of a 22.22% hike in cocoa prices announced by neighbouring Ivory Coast, prompting comparisons and pressure from stakeholders in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, the Minority, led by Offinso South MP Isaac Yeboah, criticised the government and COCOBOD for what they described as unjustifiable delays in price adjustments for cocoa farmers.
Offinso South MP Isaac Yeboah addressing the media
“We are still in the 2024/25 crop season. The question is—are we saying there will be no price adjustment until October? That’s a stab in the back of our hardworking farmers,” Yeboah said.
Ghana’s cocoa crop season runs from October to September, and farmers are currently operating under prices announced during the previous administration. The MPs insist that the international price surge justifies a mid-season review.
The group also took issue with COCOBOD’s explanations, particularly claims that administrative challenges, including the absence of a reconstituted producer price committee, were to blame.
“The producer price committee is a standing committee. It does not require a new board to function. The Minister is its chairperson and can convene it anytime,” Yeboah added.
The Minority further contended that COCOBOD’s debt profile should not be used as an excuse to deny farmers fair compensation. They noted that more than 70,000 hectares of cocoa farms rehabilitated under a loan from the African Development Bank are beginning to yield, providing hope for future revenue.
“If COCOBOD has the economic size to borrow, it certainly has the capacity to pay farmers what they deserve.”
The MPs called on government to be transparent about any operational difficulties it may be facing and to inform the public whether any steps are being taken to cushion cocoa farmers before the 2025/26 season begins in October.
Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer after Ivory Coast. Price negotiations and government support remain crucial to the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers across the country.Source: Jonathan Ofori
