The Minority Caucus in Parliament has raised a strong call for the Ghanaian government to immediately increase the cocoa producer price from GH¢3,000 to GH¢6,000 per 64kg bag. The plea comes as cocoa farmers continue to voice dissatisfaction with the current pricing, which they believe fails to reflect the true value of their produce in light of rising global market prices. The minority has warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to severe consequences, including economic sabotage at the borders due to smuggling and a betrayal of the hard work of the nation's cocoa farmers.
Isaac Yaw Opoku, the Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament for Offinso South, led the charge during a press conference in Kumasi. The caucus expressed deep concerns over what they called the government's inaction regarding cocoa producer prices and accused the administration of not living up to its promises made during the 2024 election campaign. The opposition party, led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), reminded the public that the NDC’s presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, had promised to raise the cocoa price to GH¢6,000 per 64kg bag to better align with the international market.
The NDC, however, faces accusations of backtracking on this promise since taking office, with contradictory statements from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) fueling doubts about the government's commitment to fulfilling its election pledges. In an attempt to explain the lack of price adjustment, COCOBOD cited operational challenges on April 8, 2025. However, the very next day, the Board offered an alternative explanation, which the Minority described as inconsistent and disappointing.
The Minority Caucus also questioned whether the government was retracting on key promises, such as paying farmers 70 percent of the Free-On-Board (FOB) price and ensuring that cocoa prices are raised to GH¢6,000 per 64kg bag. "They promised farmers GH¢6,000 per bag. Now they claim they can’t increase the price. Were those just empty words for votes?" the Minority asked.
Despite these challenges, the caucus maintains that COCOBOD has the financial capability to support such an increase. They highlighted that COCOBOD has already purchased over 560,000 tonnes of cocoa, with receipts totalling more than $2 billion through the Bank of Ghana. These figures point to a strong financial position that could absorb the strain of a price hike without jeopardising the sector's stability.
The Minority also raised concerns about the risk of smuggling, particularly given the recent price hikes in neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire, which increased its cocoa farmgate price by over 22 percent. At current exchange rates, Ivorian farmers are earning more than GH¢3,600 per bag, outpacing Ghanaian farmers by more than GH¢600. This price disparity could lead to a surge in smuggling, with Ghanaian farmers crossing borders to sell their cocoa at a higher price.
The Minority warned that such a scenario could exacerbate the problem of illegal mining, as farmers could abandon cocoa farming for more lucrative activities. They called on the government to act now to protect cocoa farmers and secure the nation's cocoa economy. "This is not just about economics, it’s about national security," they stressed, urging COCOBOD and the government to uphold their promises and provide farmers with a fair price for their cocoa.
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