Stop The Excuses & Increase Producer Price Of Cocoa Now -Minority Caucus

Dr. Isaac Opoku Addresses the Media

The Minority Caucus in Parliament is concerned about cocoa prices. Dr. Isaac Opoku, MP for Offinso-South, leads this group. They held a news conference in Kumasi yesterday.

The caucus questioned why the NDC government won't raise cocoa prices for 2025/2026. Two letters from Ghana COCOBOD, dated April 8 and 9, 2025, have conflicting reasons for not increasing prices.

Dr. Opoku stated that the government's stance raises many questions. He asked why there can be no price adjustment despite market conditions. He believes the government is breaking its promise to pay farmers 70% of the Free On Board (FOB) price.

This contradicts the NDC's manifesto and promises to pay GHC6,000 per bag. Farmers trusted these promises and voted for the NDC, so they deserve an increase now.

Dr. Opoku disputed COCOBOD's reasons for not raising prices. He noted that a producer price review committee already exists and should not be hindered by COCOBOD’s Board of Directors.

As of February 2025, COCOBOD had purchased over 560,000 tonnes of cocoa worth nearly US$3 billion (GHC45 billion). Dr. Opoku argued that the government should not use COCOBOD’s debt as an excuse to deny farmers their rightful share.

He asked what operational challenges prevent COCOBOD from increasing cocoa prices. The recent price hike in La Côte d'Ivoire has created a significant disparity.

Ivorian cocoa prices rose from CFA 1,800 to CFA 2,200 per kilo—a 22.24% increase. This means Ivorian farmers now receive GHC3,635 per 64kg bag—GHC535 more than Ghanaian farmers.

This difference encourages smuggling across the border from Ghana to Ivory Coast. Dr. Opoku warned that farmers might sell their farms for illegal mining due to rising gold prices.

He urged the government to take immediate action on this issue. He emphasized that this is not just an economic decision but also a matter of national security and agricultural preservation.

From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi