Stop the excuses, pay cocoa farmers – Minority to gov’t
The Minority Caucus has criticised the NDC government for what it describes as a calculated effort to avoid fulfilling its campaign promise to cocoa farmers.
In a statement issued on July 29, 2025, the Ranking Member of the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, accused the government of betraying farmers by failing to increase the cocoa producer price despite promising to do so during the 2024 election campaign.
“It’s been seven months in office, and not a single pesewa has been added to the producer price. This is a clear case of ‘One Price, Many Excuses’,” Dr. Opoku said.
He claimed the government is attempting to use COCOBOD officials to discreetly convince farmers to accept what he called a “ridiculously low” price for the upcoming season, all while pretending to consult stakeholders in good faith.
According to Dr. Opoku, cocoa farmers were promised a minimum price of GH¢6,000 per bag, and it’s long past time for the government to honour that commitment.
He said farmers have grown tired of the government’s excuses and are demanding results.
“Between January and now, we’ve heard at least seven different excuses, one for each month. Excuses have ranged from COCOBOD’s debt and rollover contracts to missing jute sacks and the appreciation of the cedi. It’s always something new,” he added.
The Offinso South MP also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in cocoa revenue management.
“Let the government come clean on how much has cocoa generated so far in the 2024/25 season? Is it true the figure is over $3 billion? Ghanaians deserve to know,” he said.
With the 2025/26 crop season just days away, Dr. Opoku insisted the promised GH¢6,000 per bag must be delivered along with arrears of GH¢2,900 per bag for January through July.
He reminded the public of the President’s earlier assurances, quoting him as saying cocoa farmers would be “Very, Very Happy” when the new price is announced.
Dr. Opoku ended with a direct appeal: “Mr. President, the time has come. Kindly redeem your promise when the new cocoa price is announced in August.”