In a bold and visually striking display of public advocacy, The People’s Forum has erected large billboards across Accra and other key areas, amplifying growing outrage among cocoa farmers following the government’s mid-season reduction of the farmgate price to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag.
The eye-catching billboards, which appeared overnight, feature a poignant image of a weary cocoa farmer seated among harvested cocoa pods in a forest setting. He appears deep in thought, resting his head on his hand.
The headline slogan reads: “OUR SWEAT, THEIR EXCUSES, GH¢2,587 PER BAG? HOW DO WE SURVIVE?” The design uses bold red and white colours, with the campaign hashtags #CocoaFarmersMatter and #JusticeForFarmers prominently displayed, alongside references to The People’s Forum and calls for public engagement.
The campaign comes days after Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson announced on February 12, 2026, that the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) had reset the producer price for the remainder of the 2025/2026 cocoa season to GH¢41,392 per tonne (equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag). This represents a sharp 28.6% cut from the GH¢3,625 per bag (GH¢58,000 per tonne) set at the start of the season in October 2025.
Government officials have justified the adjustment, citing a steep decline in global cocoa prices — from record highs above $10,000–$12,000 per tonne in late 2024 to around $3,700–$3,600 per tonne recently — along with liquidity challenges at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), delayed farmer payments since late 2025, and a backlog of unsold beans. The new price reportedly represents about 90% of the achieved Free on Board (FOB) export value, compared to the previous 70%.
However, the move has sparked widespread discontent in cocoa-growing communities, particularly in the Western North, Ashanti, and Eastern regions, where many farmers argue that the reduction worsens already high input costs — including fertilisers, pesticides, and labour — and threatens their livelihoods. Critics, including farmer associations and opposition voices, have described the decision as unprecedented for a mid-season price cut and accuse the administration of failing to honour earlier campaign promises of significantly higher producer prices, some projected above GH¢6,000 per bag.
The People’s Forum, a vocal advocacy platform known for amplifying grassroots concerns, described the billboards as a “wake-up call” to authorities and the wider public. The group has reportedly engaged affected farmers through forums and calls, with many expressing strong sentiments that they “won’t accept this insultingly low price reduction” and may resort to demonstrations if their concerns are ignored.
Social media reactions have been swift, with many Ghanaians sharing photos of the billboards and expressing solidarity using the campaign hashtags. While some have praised the creative strategy for bringing rural struggles into urban visibility, others continue to debate the broader economic realities behind the price adjustment.
As Ghana’s cocoa sector — a cornerstone of the national economy and a source of livelihood for millions — faces ongoing volatility, The People’s Forum’s billboard campaign has thrust farmers’ concerns into the national spotlight. Whether it will prompt policy reconsideration or further dialogue remains to be seen, but the message is clear: for many cocoa farmers, the current price leaves little room for survival.
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