The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced plans to develop a policy alternative to help address the challenges facing Ghana’s cocoa sector.
His comments come after the government’s decision on February 12 to reduce the cocoa producer price to GH¢41,392 per tonne, or GH¢2,587 per bag, for the rest of the 2025/2026 crop season.
The decision has raised concerns among many stakeholders, especially cocoa farmers.
In response to these concerns, the Minority Caucus formed a Select Committee to visit cocoa-growing communities across the country and interact directly with farmers.
The committee, led by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, gathered feedback from farmers and compiled a report containing its findings and recommendations.
Speaking after receiving the report, Dr. Bawumia said it would be submitted to the party’s Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food Security and Agribusiness for a detailed review.
According to him, the committee will study the findings, consult experts in the cocoa industry, and develop practical and costed policy proposals that can help solve the problems identified by farmers.
“What I am looking at with the presentation of this report is to take this Select Committee report to the Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food Security, and Agribusiness. We are going to ask this committee to technically review the findings, consult experts in the area, and then bring forward costed policy alternatives for us,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia indicated that the proposed policy alternatives would form part of broader efforts to improve conditions for cocoa farmers and support the long-term growth and stability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
The move is expected to contribute to ongoing discussions about how best to strengthen the sector, increase productivity, and ensure better livelihoods for cocoa farmers across the country.
