The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to immediately increase the producer price of cocoa to safeguard the industry and protect the livelihoods of Ghanaian farmers.
Addressing the media in Kumasi, Ranking Member on Agriculture and MP for Offinso South, Hon. Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, expressed disappointment over recent conflicting statements from COCOBOD regarding cocoa price adjustments for the 2025/2026 season.
According to him, a letter dated April 8, 2025, and signed by Dr. James Kofi Kutsoati, Acting Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) of COCOBOD, cited two reasons why the producer price could not be increased. However, a follow-up release from COCOBOD’s Public Affairs Department the next day gave an entirely different explanation.
“This inconsistency only confirms one thing—that the NDC government and COCOBOD have no intention of increasing the cocoa producer price for the upcoming season,” Dr. Opoku said.
He warned that Ghana’s cocoa industry is at risk, especially following Côte d’Ivoire’s recent 22.24% increase in cocoa prices—from 1,800 CFA to 2,200 CFA per kilogram. The price disparity, he noted, will likely encourage smuggling across the borders, further hurting Ghana’s economy.
“The time for excuses and blame is over. What is needed now is urgent and decisive action to match or exceed the cocoa prices offered in Côte d’Ivoire. This is not just an economic concern—it is a matter of national security and agricultural survival,” Dr. Opoku stated.
The Minority Caucus has therefore urged the government to act swiftly to address the issue, warning that failure to respond adequately will result in irreversible damage to the cocoa sector and betrayal of the nation’s hardworking farmers.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Sofoba Kwame Afrifah