The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on the government to promptly settle outstanding payments owed to cocoa farmers, stressing that producers are more concerned with receiving their earnings than policy explanations.
Speaking amid growing challenges in Ghana’s cocoa sector, where farmers have raised concerns over delayed payments for several months, Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticised the government’s recent reforms, including the reduction of the producer price for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season.
Under the new pricing regime, the producer price has been set at GH¢41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag, representing 90 per cent of the achieved gross Free On Board (FOB) price of $4,200 per tonne. Authorities say the measure aims to cushion farmers against declining global cocoa prices.
Addressing party supporters at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Thanksgiving Ceremony on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticised the price adjustment, describing it as deepening the hardship of cocoa farmers.
“Cocoa farmers were being paid GH¢3,625 per bag. Today, the NDC government has reduced the price to GH¢2,587,” he said.
He added that farmers’ concerns go beyond public statements or political messaging. “What I want every NPP member to tell the NDC government is that it is not all about speaking very big English on social media and hiding behind CSOs. The cocoa farmers want their money, so pay them,” he stated.
The Minority Leader also warned that farmers are facing substantial financial losses under the revised pricing regime and vowed that the Minority Caucus would intensify its response in Parliament.
“So, this week, for us, the Minority, it will be a scene to behold in Parliament. They must pay the cocoa farmers,” he emphasised.
