The Minority Caucus on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs committee in Parliament has condemned the government’s newly announced cocoa farm gate price of GH¢3,228.75 per 64kg bag for the 2025/26 season, calling it a ‘betrayal’ of Ghana’s cocoa farmers.
The Ranking Member of the Committee, Hon. (Dr) Isaac Yaw Opoku, slammed the price as woefully inadequate, describing it as shameful and insulting in light of soaring global cocoa prices. The new figure represents just a 4.2% increase from the previous GH¢3,100 per bag.
“This is a sakawa price; ridiculous, comical, and utterly disrespectful. Our hardworking cocoa farmers, who form the backbone of the economy, deserve much better. They are being shortchanged again, and the lies must end,” he stated.
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Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, the Minority also aimed at Minister for Food and Agriculture Hon. Eric Opoku and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, accusing both of betraying campaign promises made in 2024 to deliver fair and rewarding farm gate prices to cocoa farmers.
“This government is clearly out of touch with the realities on the ground. Farmers cannot be fooled every election year with sweet words and bitter policies,” Dr. Opoku added.
Dr. Opoku recalled, “Hon. Eric Opoku promised GH¢6,000 per bag; Ato Forson promised GH¢7,000. What happened to those promises? Today, they are in power. Where is the GH¢6,000 or GH¢7,000 they swore to cocoa farmers at Dadiesoaba and other communities?”
He also questioned the claim that the announced price would make cocoa farmers ‘very, very, very happy,’ as President Mahama reportedly stated during his thank-you tour.
“If this is the price he referred to, then the President must be out of touch with the realities facing cocoa farmers,” he said.
Dr. Opoku warned that the price disparity between Ghana and neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire will fuel cocoa smuggling, leading to significant losses for the country. According to him, the Ivorian cocoa farmer is receiving the equivalent of GH¢3,635 per bag, about GH¢407 more than what Ghanaian farmers will receive.
“This stark difference presents an irresistible incentive for smugglers to divert Ghanaian cocoa across the border, especially from Western North, Brong Ahafo, and Volta Regions,” he warned.
The Minority also challenged the figures used by the government in determining the new price. They claim the 70% share of the world market price promised by the President is not being met.
“At today’s world market price of $8,211.23 per ton, 70% translates to GH¢3,718 per bag, not GH¢3,228.75. What happened to that promise?” he asked.
The Minority also questioned the government’s claim of providing free inputs like fertilisers and insecticides, arguing that the cost of such items is already factored into the Free On Board (FOB) price and ultimately paid for by the farmers themselves.
The Ranking Member demanded an immediate review of the farm gate price, warning of growing discontent among farmers and the risk of further decline in the cocoa sector.
“We must safeguard our cocoa industry, protect our farmers’ livelihoods, and maintain Ghana’s enviable position in the global cocoa trade. The government must come again and offer a better price. Cocoa farmers matter and demand better.”
The Minority argued that Dr. Ato Forson is now the Finance Minister and controls the purse, hence he has to find the money to pay what he promised.