The Minority in Parliament has fiercely criticized the newly announced cocoa producer price of GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag, describing it as a betrayal of Ghanaian cocoa farmers and demanding an urgent review.
The government recently announced a 62.58% increase in the producer price of cocoa—from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne. This translates from GH₵49,600 to GH₵51,660 per tonne in cedi terms, or GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag. The new price is set to take effect on Thursday, August 7, 2025, following approval by the Producer Price Review Committee, chaired by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Food and Agriculture Committee, Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, described the announcement as “ridiculous, laughable, comical, absurd, and a stab in the back” of cocoa farmers.
“This is nothing short of deception,” he stated. “Cocoa farmers, who work tirelessly to sustain the backbone of Ghana’s economy, deserve far better compensation for their sacrifices. The government’s price is not just unfair—it is a complete ‘sakawa’ and cannot be accepted.”
Dr. Opoku warned that inadequate pricing could push farmers to abandon cocoa farming altogether and lease their lands to illegal mining (galamsey) operators—posing a direct threat to both the environment and the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
He urged the government to immediately reconsider and offer a more equitable price to sustain the sector and protect livelihoods.
“We must protect our cocoa industry, preserve our farmers’ dignity, and uphold Ghana’s global reputation as a leading cocoa producer. If you cannot spell, you do not write—if you cannot support cocoa farmers, you don’t deserve to speak for them,” Dr. Opoku declared.
The Minority insists that a meaningful adjustment is essential to ensure the sustainability of cocoa farming and to prevent further erosion of trust between government and rural communities.
