His remarks follow the government’s announcement of a downward review of cocoa producer prices for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season.

At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson stated that the producer price had been reduced to GH¢41,392 per tonne and GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag. The decision, he explained, was driven by a sharp fall in international cocoa prices and liquidity challenges within the cocoa sector.

The 2025/2026 season began in August 2025 with a producer price of GH¢51,660 per tonne, based on 70 percent of a gross free-on-board (FOB) price of $7,200 per tonne, using an exchange rate of GH¢10.25 to one US dollar.

Since then, global cocoa prices have dropped significantly, from around $4,100 per tonne at the time of the initial reduction to below $3,200 per tonne currently. The Finance Minister noted that the adjustment reflects international market realities while attempting to cushion farmers from the full impact of the downturn.

Speaking in an interview on Badwam on Adom TV, Kwame Opoku CID questioned the government’s pricing methodology, asking what calculations informed the previous increase from GH¢3,100 to GH¢3,600 per bag. He argued that miscalculations and poor anticipation of global trends, rather than solely falling world prices, contributed to the current situation.

Kwame Opoku CID also noted that the government missed an opportunity to capitalize on the surge in global cocoa prices in early 2025, which could have protected farmers from the current drastic price reduction.

He further stated that both the COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer and President John Dramani Mahama should be held accountable for the significant drop, recalling earlier government assurances that cocoa prices would rise.

According to him, some farmers reportedly withheld their cocoa beans in expectation of the promised increase, only to face a reduction instead.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Dr. Afriyie explained that the main objective of the Cocoa Board (Cocobod) and the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) framework is price stabilization.

“The aim is to allow farmers to focus on agronomy, land use, and proper forecasting,” he said, stressing that stable pricing is critical to the sector.

Ahead of the 2024 elections, cocoa pricing became a central campaign issue. The NDC pledged to increase producer prices to GHC 6,000 per 64kg bag, making farmer welfare a key message across the Western, Ashanti, Eastern, and Ahafo cocoa belts.

But Dr. Afriyie condemned the NDC’s approach, saying, “When the NDC was using spot price and promising to pay ₵6,000, I was completely mortified. In fact, it was irresponsible because I expected them to know better. You cannot use spot price for political prices.”

He likened the mistake to selling cassava out of season, when prices naturally fluctuate between the rainy and dry seasons.

“During the rainy season, it is 250 per basket, then you decided to sell it for 900 all year round. It doesn’t make sense. That was what the NDC did,” he said.

The former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) expressed particular surprise that these statements came not from ordinary NDC members but from prominent figures, including Asunafo South MP, now Minister for Food and Agriculture, Ajumako Enyan Essiam MP, and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who currently serves as Finance Minister.

“I was shocked because I know the industry inside out,” Dr. Afriyie noted.

While he admitted using strong words, he insisted he owed no apologies, emphasising that his statements were grounded in concern for the cocoa sector’s stability.

However, Dr. Afriyie clarified that his critique does not imply that politicians are inherently malicious.

“Politics, at its core, is about improving the lives of people. It is one of the most noble things anybody can do, aside from church,” he said, highlighting the positive purpose of political engagement.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Asafo Adjei said cocoa farmers in the Western North Region are demanding a reversal of the new pricing, which saw the price per bag drop from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587.

“The government and opposition are trying to shift blame in terms of cocoa pricing. The issue is not about politics. It’s a social contract between us and government,” he stated.

He argued that farmers have consistently made sacrifices over the years and questioned why they should bear the brunt of global price reductions.

He also raised concerns about what he described as comparatively low producer prices and disparities in cost-cutting measures within the cocoa sector.

According to Mr. Asafo Adjei, the protest staged by farmers is not “petty politicking” but a legitimate call for the government to withdraw the new cocoa pricing and protect farmers’ livelihoods.

“As citizens who have sacrificed for decades, what do we truly gain from the state? This protest is not trivial politicking; the government must listen to our demands. We call on the government to withdraw the new cocoa pricing. It is evident that the existing social contract benefits the government, but if they truly wish to support farmers, they need to be consistent and fair in their commitments,” he said.

Cocoa farmers in the Western North Region staged the demonstration to press home their demands, urging government to act swiftly and ensure fair treatment for the farming community.

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The row follows the announcement of a reduction of more than GHs1,000 in the price of a bag of cocoa, a decision attributed to the decline in international market prices.

Addressing TESCON leaders in Parliament, the Minority Leader alleged that the government, under mounting pressure, is making desperate attempts to shift the Minority’s focus away from the issue.

“There is a matter that is giving the government sleepless nights, and the government is struggling. So the government is finding a way to divert attention,” he told the gathering.

According to him, there are deliberate attempts to draw members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into discussions on unrelated controversies to dilute focus on the cocoa pricing issue.

Afenyo-Markin, who previously served as majority leader, suggested that governments under intense scrutiny often resort to calculated strategies to manage political heat.

“I’ve been a majority leader before, so I know that sometimes when you are hot, you must find a way of surviving,” he said. “But sometimes our friends don’t get it. You read everything and want to respond to everything. A government can even arrest somebody as a way of diverting attention.”

He also referenced earlier calls by government communicators to investigate alleged procurement breaches during the previous eight-year administration, arguing that such narratives were being revived to sidetrack the cocoa debate.

“It has nothing to do with whether the procurement breaches, as alleged, are true. The communication must go on one path,” he stressed.

“In politics, let’s go this direction. Whether you like it or not, that is the language.”

“On your platforms, when there is a matter that has gone viral, stay the course. When they bring something in, know that it’s a trap,” he cautioned.

He urged party members, particularly TESCON activists, to remain disciplined and unified in their messaging until the government addresses concerns surrounding the price reduction.

Reflecting on lessons from the party’s recent primaries, he told members, “I noticed something, and I want to share it as a guide.”

“We had a successful presidential primary. Immediately after we finished, somebody out there who is not even known did a simple one-sentence red alert on social media.”

He explained the impact of such distractions.

“For a whole week, NPP, we forgot about the victory of our flagbearer, and we were rather discussing what the person had written and deleted and apologised for something non-existent,” he said.

Warning about the dangers of misinformation online, Mr Afenyo-Markin said, “There is misinformation on social media. And if you’re a politician, you need to keep your eye on the ball.”

He also cautioned members about potential risks in online links, explaining that not everything shared on social media should be trusted or opened.

He warned that some links could carry hidden dangers and stressed that political activists need to be careful about what they click on or engage with, particularly as some people might exploit their position as TESCON members to access personal information.

Highlighting the tendency for gossip to distract, he reminded members, “Focus on the issue.”

“If all of us in this room are talking about cocoa and they need to be paid, we continue every morning #PayTheCocoaFarmers.”

“If we do this on social media, on our WhatsApp platforms, our status, every morning that hashtag is there. Continue this for two weeks. The government will do a U-turn.” 

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Speaking in an interview on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, he described the price slash as disappointing and discouraging.

“It is not going well for young farmers in this country. The reduction has made us very disappointed,” he said. “How will this encourage us to continue in the cocoa farming business? It has become a serious worry for us.”

Mr. Adu argued that the cut is excessive and unfair but noted that farmers have no option but to accept it.

“The slash is too much and unacceptable, but we have no choice. We can’t carry cocoa around town like cassava or corn and sell it ourselves. If that were possible, we would have gone round selling it,” he stated.

He acknowledged that global cocoa prices have declined but questioned the extent of the local reduction.

“We know cocoa prices have fallen on the global market, but why slash it this way? It looks like they are more concerned about their own interest and not how this affects us,” he said.

According to him, this is not the first time global cocoa prices have dropped, yet previous governments did not reduce the producer price.

“This is not the first time cocoa prices have gone down, but our leaders did not reduce it like this. This is the first time in history something like this has happened. How do they expect young people to go into cocoa farming happily?” he asked.

Mr. Adu also pointed out that the 2025/2026 purchasing season has not yet closed, and farmers had already planned their budgets based on the earlier announced price of GH¢3,625 per bag.

“That was the price we used to prepare our budgets for the season. If I hire someone to work on my farm, I plan based on that figure. Now you have reduced it drastically,” he explained.

He calculated the financial impact.

“On one bag of cocoa, I am losing more than GH¢1,000. If I produce 100 bags, that means I am losing over GH¢10,000. That is a huge loss.”

The government has reduced the producer price of cocoa to GH¢41,392 per tonne and GH¢2,587 per bag for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season.

Announcing the decision at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson said the adjustment was necessary due to a sharp fall in global cocoa prices and mounting liquidity pressures in the sector.

He explained that the new price reflects current international market realities while seeking to protect farmers’ incomes as much as possible.

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The price cut from GH¢3,600 to GH¢2,587 per bag has prompted farmers to threaten a demonstration on February 19, 2026, if the government does not respond.

Speaking to Adom News, cocoa farmers said the downward adjustment worsens their already difficult living conditions. Rising costs of farm inputs, labour, transportation, and household necessities, they argue, are not reflected in the new price.

“The new price is unfair and does not consider the realities we face on the ground. We work tirelessly to produce cocoa, yet our efforts are being undermined,” one farmer said. “This decision shows a lack of concern for the welfare of those who contribute so much to the national economy.”

In solidarity, the Forum for Accountability and Development of Sefwi has backed the farmers, warning that a peaceful but firm protest will proceed on February 19 unless authorities reverse the decision or engage in meaningful dialogue.

Addo Harry, Executive Director of the forum, addressed the media in Sefwi Wiawso, emphasising that the demonstration aims to draw national attention to the plight of cocoa farmers and push for a fairer pricing policy.

The farmers and their supporters insist the protest will remain peaceful but are determined to ensure their grievances are heard.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Dr. Afriyie, who is also a cocoa farmer, said the promises made to farmers were unsustainable and politically motivated.

“They should come clean and apologise to the cocoa farmers for deceiving us,” he said. “This should be led by Eric Opoku and Samson Ahi who pushed that cocoa price agenda. They knew it was political posturing, and they have benefited from it.”

Dr. Afriyie explained that the high cocoa prices promised during the campaign helped deliver electoral victory for the NDC but are now causing difficulties for the very farmers who were meant to benefit.

“They won the election because of the cocoa price. That was the political dividend. But here we are,” he said. “We must give the government the leverage and call for dialogue because, honestly, if they try to pay the price as promised, they will be at a loss.”

Ahead of the 2024 elections, cocoa pricing was a central campaign issue. The NDC pledged to increase producer prices to GHC 6,000 per 64kg bag, making farmer welfare a key message across the Western, Ashanti, Eastern, and Ahafo cocoa belts.

Dr. Afriyie warned that post-election realities now clash with campaign rhetoric.

“They have already won power. The equilibrium will only come when cocoa is actually sold,” he said. “In the real world, the farmers are suffering.”

Despite the challenges, he emphasised that cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most equitable and reliable tree crops.

“Cocoa remains the most democratic crop,” he noted. “Caretakers get one-third every year while the allodial owner gets two-thirds. Even with all the problems, cocoa is still a lucrative tree crop.”

Dr. Afriyie concluded that decisions on cocoa pricing must prioritise sustainability over politics.

“We need dialogue, not politics,” he said. “If government pays what it cannot sustain, everyone loses, including the farmers they claim to protect.”

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The Producer Price Regulatory Committee (PPRC) has announced an upward adjustment in the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who disclosed the review on Thursday, said the price per 64kg bag has been increased from GH¢3,225 to GH¢3,625.

According to him, the move reflects President John Mahama’s commitment to ensuring cocoa farmers receive a greater share of global market earnings.

“The GH¢3,225 producer price represented about 70% of the international market price and was based on earlier forecasts of global cocoa prices and exchange rates. However, given recent changes, it became necessary to revise the price upwards,” Dr. Forson explained.

He added that the new rate, which takes effect from Friday, October 3, 2025, will give farmers an additional GH¢400 for every 64kg bag sold.

Dr. Forson further assured that government will continue introducing policies and interventions to improve the welfare of cocoa farmers.

He also revealed that children of cocoa farmers will soon benefit from scholarships for tertiary education.

Source: Kwame Kulenu

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He said the government’s decision to increase the farm-gate price from USD $3,100 to USD $5,040 per metric tonne demonstrates the administration’s determination to prioritise farmers’ welfare.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr. Amissah explained that the increase reflects both global market realities and government’s promise to give cocoa farmers their fair share.

“This is a clear indication that President Mahama has delivered on his word to our cocoa farmers. Moving from $3,100 to $5,040 per metric tonne means farmers are now getting 70% of the FOB price, which is unprecedented,” he noted.

Mr Amissah stressed that the decision would significantly improve livelihoods in cocoa-growing communities and restore confidence in the sector.

“This increase is not just about figures; it is about dignity and fairness. For years, farmers have called for a better deal, and today government has responded in a way that meets global benchmarks,” he added.

He further emphasised that the new pricing policy underscores government’s broader agenda of inclusive economic growth.

“By giving farmers what is rightfully theirs, we are investing in the future of the cocoa industry and ensuring that Ghana maintains its position as a global leader in cocoa production,” Mr. Amissah said.

Source: Ernest Arhinful

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Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Ahi said the government has kept its promise of ensuring farmers receive at least 70 percent of the world market price for cocoa.

“We have not lied to cocoa farmers. We want to be factual with the issues. The 70 percent we promised in our manifesto is exactly what we’ve delivered,” he stated.

He explained that the promise to pay GH₵6,000 per tonne during the campaign period was made in a particular context, when cocoa prices were higher and the cedi was weaker.

“At the time we made that comment, one tonne of cocoa was selling between $9,000 and $10,000 on the world market. The exchange rate was around GH₵16 to $1. If we had given the farmer $5,040 per tonne using that rate, they would have received over GH₵81,000,” Mr. Ahi explained.

He added, “Today, the exchange rate has appreciated. So with $5,040 per tonne, the farmer will now receive about GH₵51,000. That’s the difference. But the percentage—70 percent of the world market price—has not changed. We have fulfilled our promise.”

Mr. Ahi also clarified that under the previous NPP administration, farmers were paid around GH₵3,100 per tonne, even when global prices were significantly higher.

Sampson Ahi on cocoa prices

“That’s why we said we would pay GH₵6,000. But it was based on the conditions at the time,” he stressed. “We want to be careful and responsible with pricing, especially with the way cocoa prices fluctuate. But what we’ve done is fair.”

The government, on Monday, approved a new producer price of $5,040 per tonne, up from $3,100, marking a 62.58% increase.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in a post on social media following a meeting of the Producer Price Review Committee, which he chairs.

Despite the increase, some farmers have said the jump is not enough.

But Mr. Ahi insists the cocoa farmers are not being shortchanged.

“The cocoa farmer will be okay with what we are giving them now. It’s a fair deal, and it shows this government is listening,” he concluded.

Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

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Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, Mr Boadu said the newly announced GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag is unjustifiable and fails to meet the expectations of cocoa farmers.

“Before they came to power, they estimated 70% of the FBO price to be around GH₵6,000 to GH₵7,000. If the NPP had paid that amount, would the NDC reduce it now that the cedi has gained strength?” he questioned.

He further argued that the appreciation of the Ghana cedi benefits importers rather than farmers or exporters.

“When the cedi gains strength, importers benefit—not exporters or cocoa farmers. They are the worst hit,” he said.

According to him, many cocoa farmers are disappointed and may consider selling their lands to illegal miners due to the unfavourable pricing.

“The farmers are disappointed and sad. Many may be forced to sell their land for illegal mining because the current prices are not favourable,” he warned.

Mr Boadu concluded by urging government to engage in “honest and well-informed discussions” on cocoa pricing instead of what he termed “ignorance and dishonesty.”

Source: Farida Seidu | Adomonline.com

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Emmanuel Nodjo insists it falls far below expectations despite the sharp increase.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr. Nodjo, who owns a total of seven acres of cocoa farms, said the mood among farmers is one of disappointment.

“We were expecting better than this, so the price is not encouraging,” he said bluntly.

Government on Monday approved a new producer price of $5,040 per tonne, up from the previous $3,100, marking a 62.58 per cent increase.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in a social media post after a meeting of the Producer Price Review Committee, which he chairs.

But for farmers like Emmanuel Nodjo, the jump is not good enough.

“The farmers are not very happy with the price,” he said. “The price is not appreciating, and we are not happy. We were expecting better than this, at least ¢4000, but it didn’t happen.”

Dr. Forson has defended the new price, stating that it aligns with President John Mahama’s pledge to ensure farmers receive 70 per cent of the Free-On-Board (FOB) value.

According to him, the current FOB value is based on a blend of contracts sold at $2,600 per tonne in the 2023/24 crop year and forward forecasts for the 2025/26 season.

The Minister also took a swipe at the previous administration, noting that the NPP government paid $3,100 per tonne in the 2024/25 season, which amounted to just 63.9 per cent of the FOB value of $4,850.

Despite the political point scoring, the reality on the ground appears far removed from the celebration.

For farmers like Emmanuel Nodjo, the numbers do not match the sweat on the farms. And their message to government is clear: they are not satisfied.

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

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Government on Monday, August 4, pegged the new price at GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag, up from last year’s GH₵3,100. But Mr. Boafo insists the increment falls short of what was promised by the Mahama-led administration.

“I first saw it on the internet that it is a 60% increase, and I even thought it should be 90% given that they promised to pay GH₵6,000,” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem.

He also questioned why the government was quoting the price in dollar terms, when cocoa is purchased locally in cedis.

“We don’t buy cocoa in dollars, so why would we be talking to the farmer about dollars in a new pricing window? What they are doing is that if you can’t convince them, you confuse them, and that is what the government is doing. But the farmers will not be confused because they know the past prices from GH₵1,380 to GH₵3,100. They know how far the prices have gone.”

Mr. Boafo maintained that based on earlier promises, farmers should be earning significantly more now.

“They told us they would give us GH₵6,000, and that was based on last year’s figure, which was GH₵3,100. So by now, they should be paying the farmers GH₵12,000.”

He also took issue with government’s explanation that rollover contracts had affected pricing. COCOBOD’s Acting CEO, Dr. Ransford Abbey, had revealed the institution was facing $1.3 billion in losses due to undelivered forward contracts from the 2023/2024 season.

Dr. Abbey noted that 333,767 tonnes of cocoa were sold at $2,600 per tonne but were not delivered. The board is now fulfilling those contracts in the 2024/2025 season while global prices hover around $6,600 per tonne.

But Mr. Boafo disagreed with the figures.

“The prices varied, and there is no way anyone can sell 100,000 metric tonnes of cocoa in a day. We sold as high as $12,000, so why would he use $2,000, which is the lowest figure? Or does he have something to hide?”

He called for full disclosure on the cocoa sales.

“He should give us the breakdown for the sale of the 100,000 metric tonnes, because we didn’t sell all for $2,000. He is using that amount because it inures to the benefit of the government.”

Source: Gertrude Otchere

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Nana Abass addressed claims that government had failed to honour a GH₵6,000 per bag campaign promise, saying he was unaware of any such pledge.

“I didn’t hear that promise, and I’m only hearing it this morning. It is politricks. It was mere political talk. It is not everything these politicians say that they do,” he said.

His comments come after the government announced a 62.58% increase in the producer price for the 2025/2026 cocoa season—from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne.

In cedi terms, the price moves from GH₵49,600 to GH₵51,660 per tonne, and GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag.

Nana Abass said the dissatisfaction among some farmers may be due to the depreciation of the cedi, not the actual value of the price increase.

“I cannot admit that they have shortchanged us. It is just because of the dollar rate, so they have not cheated us in any way,” he noted.

He also emphasised that political promises often raise unrealistic expectations.

“If it was Ato Forson who said it, I didn’t know. But we must be clear that everything cannot be 100%. The only good thing is that we export cocoa, but that cannot be our only source,” he added.

The chief farmer urged diversification of agriculture, calling for more support for millet, cassava, and rice cultivation alongside cocoa.

“My people voted for me, but I cannot impress on the government to fulfil our demands. We can only continue to work hard and hope for the best,” he said.

Nana Abass insisted the current cocoa price was fair, despite political rhetoric.

“I didn’t hear the NDC in opposition promise 6,000 per bag, but we should know that it is political talk. It is not all the things they say that they do for the citizens,” he concluded.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

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Government on Monday, August 4, 2025, increased the producer price for cocoa for the 2025/2026 crop season from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne—a 62.58% increase in dollar terms.

However, some critics have questioned the move, claiming the price contradicts Mahama’s earlier pledge to ensure farmers receive at least 70% of the world market price.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Nana Abass clarified that the President’s promise was based on the Free on Board (FOB) price on the world market, not the price per bag as widely assumed.

“President Mahama’s promise to increase the cocoa price by 70% was on the world market price, not per bag. But it seems most people didn’t get it. With this new cocoa price announced on Monday, per my calculation, it exceeds the 70%. Mahama is on course and has delivered the 70% FOB he promised,” he said.

He called for patience and support for the government’s efforts.

“This is the beginning. I was voted for, but I can’t press the neck of the government. We must all calm down and pray for him and see what happens in the next cocoa season,” he said.

On the cedi equivalent of the new price, Nana Abass pointed to the influence of exchange rates.

“Now the dollar is about 10 cedis, but when you calculate, you cannot get the 49,000 cedis. Looking at the 70% world producer price, cocoa per bag was $3,100, and if now another government has added 128.75, it is fair,” he noted.

He also rejected suggestions that farmers had been shortchanged.

“I don’t think we have been shortchanged. It is because of the dollar rate, that is what we have. We can’t always get everything 100%. We can only hope and pray for the best,” he added.

Listen to Nana Kwame Abass in the audio attached above:

Source: Gertrude Otchere 

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The new rate reflects a 62.58% increase in dollar terms.

The decision was made by the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), chaired by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, ahead of the new cocoa season set to open on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The announcement follows the completion of pricing review work by technical committees and broad stakeholder consultations.

President John Mahama, speaking in July, reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to ensure cocoa farmers receive at least 70% of the world market price—a policy he said aims to restore fairness and dignity to farmers who form the backbone of Ghana’s agricultural sector.

As of Sunday night, August 3, 2025, cocoa was trading at approximately US$7,555 per tonne on the international market.

In contrast, the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration had pegged the Free on Board (FOB) value for the 2024/2025 season at US$4,850 per tonne, setting the producer price at US$3,100—representing just 63.9% of the FOB, despite higher global prices at the time.

According to government sources, the latest gross FOB value is based on outstanding contracts covering 100,000 tonnes of cocoa sold at US$2,600 per tonne during the 2023/2024 season, as well as price forecasts for the upcoming season.

Using an average exchange rate of GH₵10.25 to US$1, the new producer price translates to GH₵51,660 per tonne, up from GH₵49,600. This equals GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag.

In addition, the PPRC has approved revised margins and fees for all stakeholders in the cocoa value chain, including licensed buying companies, hauliers, warehouse operators, and quality control units.

Source: Adomonline.com

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Joy Business understands that the announcement will proceed following the completion of work by the various committees tasked with reviewing the pricing structure, as well as after extensive stakeholder consultations.

There are strong indications that the new price will reflect a significant increase in dollar terms.

However, uncertainty remains about the actual value of the new price in Ghana cedi terms, given the recent sharp appreciation of the cedi against the U.S. dollar over the past few months.

Currently, the producer price stands at GH¢3,100 per 64kg bag and GH¢49,600 per tonne.

Government is pressing ahead with the new pricing ahead of the official opening of the 2025/2026 cocoa season on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

President John Mahama, speaking last month, reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring cocoa farmers receive at least 70% of the world market price. He said this policy is aimed at restoring dignity and fairness to the farmers who form the backbone of Ghana’s agricultural economy.

As of last night, cocoa was trading at approximately $7,555 per tonne on the global market.

However, a major concern remains the real value of any increase in local currency terms, especially in light of government claims that it has been subsidising cocoa prices for the past five months, paying nearly 90% of the global market price directly to farmers.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express Business Edition, Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, expressed concern about how the cedi’s appreciation could impact farmers’ real incomes.

“What we are seeing now is a situation where global prices are high, and that would normally translate into higher incomes for our farmers. But with the cedi appreciating sharply, the gains could be reduced when translated into Ghana cedi,” Dr. Abbey explained.

Source: Joy Business

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Speaking on his “Thank You” tour in the Western North Region, Mr Mahama said farmers are battling “low prices, inadequate extension services, and constant delays in farm inputs,” adding, “The sweat of our cocoa farmers deserves dignity and a fair reward.”

He announced that an NDC administration would

• peg the producer price at 70 percent of the prevailing international price;

• restart and expand the cocoa‑rehabilitation programme in badly affected districts such as Bia and Juaboso;

• ensure quicker distribution of improved seedlings and fertilisers; and

• provide “regular, hands‑on extension support” through a retooled Cocoa Board.

“Under a new COCOBOD leadership, every farmer whose trees are cut for rehabilitation will receive prompt compensation and free replanting with high‑yield varieties,” he promised.

Mr Mahama argued that restoring productivity lost to swollen‑shoot disease and ageing farms will “put real money back into rural households and help stabilise the cedi through higher export earnings.”

Source: Adomonline.com

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According to the Minority, key NDC figures, including Minister for Agriculture Eric Opoku and Minister for Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, had previously accused the former government of shortchanging cocoa farmers by offering low prices.

The Caucus argues that the world market price of cocoa has surged to $10,000 per ton, significantly higher than before, and insists that farmers deserve two-thirds of the global price, as stated during the election campaign.

They stress that fulfilling this promise will motivate farmers, boost production, and solidify Ghana’s position as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer.

Leading the call, Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, MP for Offinso South, urged the government to immediately honor its pledge and pay farmers the promised 70% of the world market price.

The Minority warned that tension is rising in cocoa-growing areas and called for swift action to prevent disappointment among farmers.

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Last week, the government announced an increase in the cocoa producer price from GH¢2,070.00 to GH¢3,000.00 per bag, marking the highest purchasing price in the history of the cocoa industry.

However, Akandoh criticized the new price, calling it a disservice to farmers.

He stated that the NDC would have offered a more favorable price if in power.

Akandoh made these comments during the visit of NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, to Sehwi Agyemadiem in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region.

The NDC National Chairman, Asiedu Nketia, urged party members not to be swayed by what he described as deceptive promises from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He appealed to the constituents to vote for Akandoh and the NDC in the upcoming elections to ensure better policies for cocoa farmers and the nation at large.

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By this increment, a 64-kilogramme bag of cocoa has been pegged at GH¢3,000 from GH¢1,308.

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong announced this at a press conference on Wednesday.

This represents a 45 percent increase in the producer price in April 2024 and a 129 percent increase from the September 2023 price.

The government in the middle of the 2023/2024 season increased the prices from GH¢20,928 per tonnes to GH¢33,120 per tonne in response to increasing cocoa prices on the international market.

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During his campaign tour in the Asunafo South and North constituencies of the Ahafo Region, Dr Prempeh urged farmers not to be swayed by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the matter of cocoa prices.

He emphasised that, the NPP government has consistently prioritized the welfare of cocoa farmers more than any other party.

Addressing a rally in Nobekaw, located in the Asunafo South Constituency, Dr Prempeh reiterated the government’s commitment to the agriculture sector, especially cocoa farming.

He assured the farmers that the forthcoming price announcement would reflect the government’s dedication to improving their livelihoods.

The Manyhia South lawmaker also acknowledged the efforts of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Eric Opoku, in representing the NPP’s stance on agricultural issues, particularly those related to cocoa farming.

“The NPP has increased cocoa prices from over 400 cedis to over 2,000 cedis in the last seven years, and very soon, cocoa prices will go up again to bring more value to farmers” he added.

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According to Edward Kareweh, the cost of living and the expenditure of farmers within the two countries are different, hence using one as the yardstick for the other is unacceptable.

Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews, Mr. Kareweh stressed that the current increase in cocoa price for the 2023/2024 season is nothing to write home about.

“The agricultural sector is so pathetic. Why do we think that when we increase producer price more than Cote D’Ivoire it should be something to be celebrated.

“The farmer in Ghana does not live in Cote D’Ivoire, and does not spend in Cote D’Ivoire. The farmer in Ghana will look at his income, his expenditure. If the expenditure is very high and you even now want to say, ‘I have done you good and you are better of because your income is higher than that of Cote D’Ivoire or another country’, think about cost of living.

“So I don’t know where this comparison is coming from,” he stressed.

This assertion follows the increase in price of a bag of cocoa from GH¢800 to GH¢1,308 for the 2023/2024 season.

Currently, a tonne of the commodity will sell at GH¢20,943 from GH¢12,800.

This represents a 63.5% increase in the cost of the cash crop, the highest in the last 15 years across the West African sub-region.

The price is 70.5% of the gross Free on Board (FOB) price and equivalent to $1,821 per tonne.

While this development has been lauded by a section of Ghanaians, others led by the opposition NDC insist the price could have been more.

In a post of social media, former President, John Dramani Mahama, described the government’s announcement of an increase in the farm-gate price of cocoa as a rip-off of farmers and their families.

But the governing NPP insists all stakeholders in the cocoa industry, including farmers and the Ghana Civil-Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP), have expressed joy and satisfaction with the new price

However, GAWU maintains that the government must stop the defense and address the issues of cocoa farmers.

“We always look for excuses instead of solving the problem. I am Ghanaian and I live in Ghana, some of our farmers don’t even know where Cote D’Ivoire is so what is this comparison between Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire.

“But then they will say that when the price is high it will prevent farmers from smuggling their cocoa to Cote D’Ivoire. It is because price is at the end of the whole equation but it all starts with production.”

Mr. Kawereh added that farmers in Ghana still use the traditional means of harvesting and drying the cocoa beans, which if not addressed by government will result in other countries overtaking Ghana when it comes to the production of cocoa.

“From I think, two or three years back, there was a whole concern about the Chinese getting involved in cocoa production and it was like Ghana will lose a lot and I said ‘why not?’

“Look at the way we have been producing cocoa in this country. Today as we speak we don’t even have a simple machine that will assist farmers so that when they harvest their cocoa pods they can just pour it there and the machine will scoop out the beans.

“In fact, if you have thousand pods, you have to count them one by one by breaking through them with your cutlass to scoop out the beans.

“We can’t continue cocoa production like this when a country can just modernize their system and be ahead of us.”

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Joseph Boahen Aidoo made the accusation on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, where he expressed disappointment in Dr Forson.

As a former Chairman of the Producer Price Review Committee on Cocoa and former member of the Board of Directors, COCOBOD, Mr Aidoo said he expects the Minority leader to know better when it comes to how the price system works.

“Ato Forson has really shocked me, and he hasn’t helped Mahama in any way. You have to be careful if you have such people as your advisors. He has been on the Board before, so when he came to speak about sales and prices, I had so much faith unfortunately, he decided to come and throw dust in the eyes of people. Propaganda and lies are just in the DNA of the NDC,” he stated.

President Akufo-Addo on September 9, while addressing cocoa farmers in Tepa of the Ashanti region announced a 63.6% upward adjustment from GH₵800 to GH₵1,308 per bag.

But in the view of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), it is a total rip-off, as cocoa farmers will remain worse off than they were seven years ago under them.

According to the NDC, the price increment should not have been less than GH¢2,500. 

Dr Forson, who doubles as Ajumako Enyan Assiam Member of Parliament (MP) addressing a conference with cocoa farmers at Dadiesoaba in the Ahafo Region said if the NDC was in power, it would have paid ¢2,800 to the farmers.

However, the COCOBOD CEO in response said it was actually the erstwhile NDC government that cheated cocoa farmers.

“In 2015-2016, the international price of cocoa was $2900 per tonne but they paid farmers $1,789 now, the price is around $2,600 but we have given the farmer $1,821 dollars, so they even cheated the farmers because they had all the opportunity to pay the GH¢2,500 Ato Forson is talking about or even GH¢2,000 but they didn’t,” he added.

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This comes after Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson explained that farmers should have gotten at least ¢2,500 cedis per cocoa bag given the high price on the international market.

According to the Ajumako Enyan Essiam MP, the price of the commodity has seen the biggest rise since 1977, and thus the government is ripping cocoa farmers off. 

But, speaking on PM Express on Joy News, Mr Boafo said the NDC’s calculations of how farmers should be paid are flawed.

“The exchange rate used is actually 11.5 and it was provided by the Bank of Ghana. Bear in mind, it is not a one-off thing where the season is open today and all transactions are done today and for that reason, you have to use the exchange rate for the day.”

“So, the exchange rate that was used was actually 11.5 and if you use 11 .5 you get the actual figure that was quoted. So you do not have to border yourself with all the mathematics and all the semantics that was done with it,” Mr Boafo said.

He added that COCOBOD also does forward sales where the majority of crops are sold prior to the start of the season to help do an accurate forecast going into the cocoa season.

“When COCOBOD is starting the season, it gives a price that will be used for the purchase of cocoa the entire season. If you go to other countries, they will do the main crop season. The price will be different from the light crop season. In our case, it does not happen like that. What actually happened is that, beginning of the season, we know how much money is coming in and that is the basis of determining the price that is paid to the cocoa farmer. How do we know that? We know that because by the time you start the season, you have done about 80% of your crop already sold.”

“You know how much you are making going into the cocoa season and for which reason you are able to say that it is fair to give the farmer GHS1,308. If someone tells you today that you should use a figure of today to determine the price, obviously the person is unaware or has been briefed wrongly so the person does not know that by the time you start the season, the majority of your crop is already sold.”

“But, they do not take into consideration the fact that the cocoa was sold from last year, October to date. They actually use a figure from August to form the basis of this discussion and then come to the conclusion without taking into consideration the fact that there’s part of it that is freight, there’s part of it that is for shipment and they lump it together for their analysis.”

Mr Boafo added that another thing that affects the price is the sizes of the bags explaining that if the size is not up to what is required for the market price, it is discounted adding “the discount is actually between 20 to 40 percent.”

Background

President Akufo-Addo announced a more than 60 percent hike in cocoa prices for this year’s cocoa season, translating to GH¢1,308 per cocoa bag. 

Speaking at an event in Tepa on September 9, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges faced by cocoa farmers due to low international cocoa prices, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these difficulties, he said that COCOBOD and the government have decided to raise the producer price of cocoa.

The President explained that cocoa prices had increased from GH¢7,600 per tonne in 2016 to GH¢12,800 per tonne in 2022, a substantial 68% increase.

He added that the government had further raised cocoa prices from GH¢12,800 per tonne to GH¢20,943 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢1,308 per bag for the new season, explaining also that this new price illustrates 70.5% of the Gross FoB price and is equal to $1,821 per tonne.

President Akufo-Addo also indicated that this is the highest price paid to cocoa farmers in West Africa in approximately 50 years.

But former president John Mahama argued that given the international market price of cocoa reaching a 46-year record high of $3,600, the government should have provided cocoa farmers with a more equitable share of the international FOB price.

He expressed disappointment that the government has chosen to offer farmers a mere GH¢1,308 per bag, which constitutes only 52.7% of the FOB Price on the international market.

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It said the President’s announcement of the new producer price last Saturday had been greeted with widespread gratification by the entire cocoa community in Ghana.

“Indeed, all stakeholders in the cocoa industry, including farmers and the Ghana Civil-Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP), have all expressed joy and satisfaction at the new price and have commended the government for staying true to its words. 

Political expediency

“Therefore, anyone claiming that the government has shortchanged cocoa farmers will be doing so only for political expediency but not based on facts,” the Director of Communications of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, said at a press conference in Accra Wednesday September 13, 2023.  

He said it was highly disingenuous on the part of the NDC to blame the current administration for a decline in cocoa production when the party knew that it contributed to the unfortunate situation, adding that the decision by the then management to suspend the treatment of the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Viral Disease (CSSVD), resulting in many cocoa farms being attacked by the viral disease, was the root cause of Ghana’s decline in production.

“The NDC government’s decision to withdraw support to farmers in treating the CSSVD in the Western Region, has resulted in yields dropping significantly from 346,000 metric tonnes to below 140,000 metric tonnes.  

“Today, the management of COCOBOD, through the support of the government led by President Akufo-Addo, has been able to restore most of these farms, which were plagued by diseases under the NDC, through the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme.

These farms are expected to yield positive results in the next few years and help increase Ghana’s production capacity.

Other social interventions are also currently being implemented for the benefit of cocoa farmers in the country,” he said.  

Mr Ahiagbah said it was also not an accurate claim by the NDC that COCOBOD started incurring losses only when the NPP assumed power in 2017 and that under the previous administration of the NDC, COCOBOD also made similar losses.

In 2016, before the NPP took overpower, COCOBOD, under the regime of the NDC led by President Mahama, caused significant losses of about $19 billion or more.

He said it was worth noting that under the NPP administration, Ghana recorded its highest-ever production of 1,045,500 in the 2020/21 Crop Season and that.

“It is, therefore, not accurate when the NDC claims that the NPP has a poor track record in cocoa production.

In fact, in their case in 2009, when the country recorded a million tonnes, it was due to the ripple effects of the interventions introduced by the then NPP administration under President John Agyekum Kufuor”.

Mr Ahiagbah said no other cocoa-producing country supported farmers with interventions such as the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme, Mass Pruning, Hand Pollination, Mass Spraying, Fertiliser Subsidy Programme and Free Seedlings, as was the case in Ghana. 

Production

As such, he said cocoa farmers in all those other countries bear the total cost of production.

In the 2019/2020 Crop year, he said the government and Cote d’Ivoire agreed on a new cocoa pricing mechanism to safeguard the welfare of cocoa farmers and that the aim was to secure a sustainable cocoa price for farmers and create a buffer against shocks associated with unstable world market prices.

The Producer Price has gone up by 63.5 per cent from GH¢12,800 per metric tonne (GH¢800.00 per bag) to GH¢20,943 or $1,821 per metric tonne, equivalent to GH¢1,308 per bag. 

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President Akufo-Addo on September 9, while addressing cocoa farmers in Tepa of the Ashanti region announced a 63.6% upward adjustment from GH₵800 to GH₵1,308 per bag.

But in Mr Mahama’s view, it is a total rip-off as cocoa farmers will remain worse off than they were seven (7) years ago under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Reacting to Mr Mahama’s comments on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo said the former President got it wrong.

He maintained that, they have not shortchanged the farmers.

The COCOBOD CEO stated that, the new increment is the most significant in Ghana’s history, adding the farmers are happy with it.

“We have been paying higher cocoa prices than Ivory Coast since 2017. The only time they paid more was last year. The 65% increment in cocoa price wipes out the current rate of inflation so farmers are better off,” he said.

The CEO further called on Mr. Mahama to acquaint himself with the process involved in determining the producer price of cocoa.

Mr Aidoo expressed optimism the new price will help to curb smuggling which has become the biggest bane of cocoa farmers in Ghana.

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According to the NDC, the price increment should not have been less than GH¢2,500. 

Ajumako Enyan Assiam Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Cassiel Ato Forson made these remarks at a conference with cocoa farmers at Dadiesoaba in the Ahafo Region.

Akufo-Addo over the weekend highlighted the difficulties experienced by cocoa producers due to low worldwide prices, which have been made worse by the COVID-19 outbreak, at a gathering in Tepa.

He said that in spite of these challenges, COCOBOD and the government had chosen to increase the cocoa producer price.

The President outlined the significant 68% increase in cocoa prices from GH7,600 per tonne in 2016 to GH12,800 per tonne in 2022.

But the Minority leader said if NDC was in power, it would have paid ¢2,800 to the farmers.

“In fact, from 2013 to 2016, I supervised the increase in cocoa prices. The truth is one, and no one can dispute it. There are two things we use to determine the increase in cocoa prices. The first one is the strength of the Cedi and the price of cocoa on the international market. As a country, there are things we import and there are also things we export.

“So when we import goods and the Cedi is not strong enough, the prices will go up and in the same way, when we export goods outside, we need to get profit,” he said.

In light of this, he claimed that, the farmers should have gotten at least ¢2,500 cedis per cocoa bag given the high price on the international market.

“As we speak now, cocoa prices have seen the biggest increment since 1977, so it is your season to make a profit. If NDC were to be in government, we would have a bag of cocoa at GH¢2,500 and add a premium of GH¢300. So you would have received GH¢2,800 per bag,” he added.

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A bag of cocoa has moved from GH¢800.00 per bag to GH¢1,308.00 per bag.

The new price moved the price per tonne from GH¢ 12,800.00 to GH¢ 20,943.00. 

The new price represents 63.5 per cent increment of the previous one.

The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced this at Tepa on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

He said the new price was the highest in the sub region in the last 15 years and was meant to improve the livelihoods of the farmers and for a fair and remunerative price for their efforts.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, announced this at a press briefing on Wednesday.

“The 21% rise in the producer price of cocoa is a testament to Government’s resolve to ensure farmers earn a decent income and make cocoa farming lucrative.

“Government will continue to implement initiatives to build a robust, resilient and sustainable cocoa industry where cocoa farmers and their communities will thrive,” he said.

The new price, he said, takes effect from Friday, October 14, 2022, for the 2022-2023 crop season.